Immortal Surrender

The Curse of the Templars #2

by Claire Ashgrove

Farran de Clare, loyal member of the cursed Knights Templar, wants nothing to do with predestined mates. Even the Almighty won't turn him into a fool again―he'd rather sacrifice his soul. Yet in the scientist Noelle Keane, a devout atheist, Farran meets the seraph designed for him. Ordered by the archangel Gabriel to protect Noelle, the possessor of a sacred relic that could give Azazel incredible power, Farran swears to do his duty―but in name only. Fighting an attraction that grows with each day, he's determined that he'll never pledge himself to her. As they war over her future, their mutual passion ignites a conflict far more damning. But before Noelle will agree to eternity with him, she demands the ultimate sacrifice―his heart.

Genres: Paranormal Romance, Romance, Paranormal, Adult, Urban Fantasy

448 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 25, 2012

About the author

Claire Ashgrove has been writing since her early teens and maintained the hobby for twenty years before deciding to leap into the professional world. Her first contemporary novel, Seduction's Stakes, sold to The Wild Rose Press in 2008, where she continues to write steamy, sexy stories for the Champagne and Black Rose lines. Adding to these critically acclaimed contemporaries, Claire’s paranormal romance series, The Curse of the Templars, will debut with Tor in January 2012. For those who prefer the more erotic side of romance, she also writes for Berkley Heat under the pen name Tori St. Claire.

Claire lives on a small farm in Missouri with her two toddler sons, fifteen horses, four cats, and five dogs. In her “free” time, she enjoys cooking, winning at rummy, studying ancient civilizations, and spending quiet moments with her family, including the critters. She credits her success to her family's constant support and endless patience.

To learn more about Claire, visit her on the web at www.ClaireAshgrove.com, or www.ToriStClaire.com

Reviews

[L.E.Olteano · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll begin by saying I actually went into this read not knowing what to expect. The key word here was 'archangel', bringing with it all of my potential freak-out factor, because as you all know I'm not feeling angels mixed in with romance stories, it just doesn't work out for me. I couldn't tell if the angels would play a romantic role or not, and I have been mislead before by blurbs not telling me about it but books sneakily introducing the element along the way.
So I was a bit fearful, I might say. Knights Templar? Sure thing, bring it on, but what would the angels/archangels role be?... And I got my answer.
This is a perfectly clear example of how a romance story involving angels or heavenly beings doesn't go wrong, and in fact goes perfectly delightful. Angels are messengers of God, though I'm not hot on mixing Chruch and faith with entertainment, this book worked for me like a charm, so to speak.
So if you're skittish about such things mixing, like I am, know this is a perfectly delightful read and it didn't give me the notorious iffy factor.

Now that we got that aspect out of the way, the world of this novel is just freaking fabulous. I mean, we're talking good versus evil, immortal knights, distressing damsels as opposed to damsels in distress - Farran may bear witness to this, haha -, sword fighting, bumpy romance and a lot of charm. As my 'good' habit is, I read book #2 in the series without having read book #1. Pffft, relax, I do this all the time, haha. And this book made crystal clear sense to me, so you read it as a stand alone like I did and enjoy it full-force, without a doubt. The world makes perfect sense in the book, without needing any clarifications or premises from a previous one, and I have to say I enjoy that in all series.

The characters were just irresistible, I mean we're talking a huge grumpy knight and a spitfire little woman that just drives him insane most of the time. I loved the chemistry that Farran and Noelle had, they just made a killer combo and I was really laughing out loud for a couple of times during the read. You know how I love a read that can make me laugh a little.
Both characters in the main pair had some hard edges, so to speak, I mean Farran has a tendency to go a bit caveman and grumble a lot, but then again he does sort of belongs to that time frame, lol. Noelle on the other hand does tend to go all I-Am-Woman-Hear-me-Roar, so you can imagine how sparks were constantly flying all over the place. And yet they were both vulnerable, wounded, not all the way healed from their pasts. I won't go into details here, but their stories were enough to make me wince.
The way their relationship developed wasn't insta-love but a slow burn sort of thing, that kind that I really love because it really feels like a love story and not an affair. Just loved them together.
Heat level is adult, but the one on one isn't the focus of their romance, though they have hot interaction when it does happen, they're not out there making out like bunnies all over the read. Sadly. Lol, kidding, I mean I love a good story, but at the same time smut never hurt anyone. This isn't smut romance, though, that's what I'm trying to say.

As an immortal knight hence old as the hills, basically, Farran did convince me he has been alive for a long time, and that he came from the time frame I was told he did. His voice was quite convincing and appropriate, though at times 'twas a bit too much, and if you have read this or you will, you'll get what I mean.

Aside the romantic arc, we have some kickass evil fighting, both within each knight and against Azazel. The plot was just ripe with conflict and tension, and as we all know that makes for highly entertaining reading. There was enough action to keep you on edge, but without becoming annoying - you know I tend to get annoyed with agitated action. So this was for me something of the perfect blend of action and romance.
The writing was just awesome, I mean the clear and accessible style mixed with intense, overwhelming imagery in places, tension and conflict bloomed from all directions, but there was also a lot of feeling, a lot of mending broken hearts and finding courage again, braving love.

And because I never can help it, the curb appeal is out of this world. That cover got my attention in a heartbeat, and coupled with the blurb I was sold, no doubt about it, I was so curious about this knight spin. Aside the promise of steamy romance and cool action, the blurb also got me very curious, it's a fresh take on paranormal romance and a brave concept. What it promises, it delivers, or so it did for me at least.

All in all I say you should definitely give this a shot, there's a touch of history, a touch of drama, a touch of romance and a sprinkle of action in the knight's quest to save the world and himself from darkness. Awesome reading, I loved it.

Butterfly-o-Meter Books

[Crystal _ Reading Between the Wines Book Club · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars
After reading the first book in the The Curse Of The Templars, I knew that this was going to be a series for me. The story is rich and unique with sexy immortals, intriguing angels and some pretty scary demons.

Over nine hundred years ago, the Knights of the Templar were punished by the Archangels for uncovering a forbidden holy relic. Cursed with Azazel's darkness each time they kill a demonic creature, eventually that darkness will take over their soul and they will become a minion of the evil Azazel. Their only salvation lays in the light that their destined Seraph holds as a descendant of the nephilim.
However, Farran de Clare has no wish to ever find his destined Seraph. Betrayed by his wife, he has never forgotten that heartache and is unable to bring himself to trust a woman ever again. Unfortunately, Destiny has other plans for him. Charged with protecting the scientist Noelle Keane and the relic she carries, Farron discovers his Seraph. His duty and honor to his brothers demands him to unite with Noelle and fulfill his vows. But as an atheist, Noelle doesn't believe the secrets he shares with her, instead she waves Farron and the Knights off as a group of religious zealots.
The more time Farron spends around the spunky scientist the more his walls crumble, but Noelle won't accept anything but his heart. Can he convince Noelle to trust in him and their destiny before it's too late, and can he learn to trust her in return?

Claire Ashgrove's Immortal Surrender swept me away with the legend of the Knights Templar. I cannot say enough how much I love the world that Ms. Ashgrove has created with this series. Feisty heroines, old-world heroes, romance, passion, action and a touch of the supernatural. The Curse of the Templars has it all, along with a gripping story line that will keep you glued to the pages. I enjoyed both of the main characters of this book, their back and forth was like watching a tennis match take place on the pages. Yes, Farron did have his frustrating moments but with his history of betrayal it was understandable. Noelle had her moments as well with her lack of faith and her attitude, but she was in a difficult situation as well so I was able to relate. The surrounding cast of characters, from the other knights to the archangels, were just as captivating and I can't wait to get to know each of them better.

This series has several different aspects to it that I think will please romance readers spanning several different sub-genres. I definitely recommend you reading this but start at the beginning with Immortal Hope which builds the history of the Knights. :)

[Joy (joyous reads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I tend to stay away from covers like this. Heaving bosoms, long flowing locks...and those are just the men for starters. Heh. At least this one is not your typical historical fiction where women wore gowns that couldn't hold their bosoms in. And in any case, this is not really a historical romance but the cover is one that makes me want to read the book in hiding. Best left read in the privacy of your homes.

Anyway. This book was sent to me for review by the awesome people of Tor but not the first book. So I really have no other back stories as to how it all began. For the most part, I thought it was easy enough to follow but when the story starts to go deeper into the legend of the knights, it got a bit confusing for me.

For example, and this may be a general knowledge but not to me, how were the knights chosen? How many are there? I obsessed about it through the majority of the book because I'd like to know exactly how many of them could go dark. I love that the knights are sort of in a no-win situation. They have to kill Azazel's demons but for every demon that they kill, the evil that lives within gets absorbed into their souls. In the end, some of the knights will turn dark if they don't find their fated soulmates in time. Which brings me to another perplexing part of the book: I didn't understand why Faran was resisting his salvation - resisting Noelle - when he knew she could save him, make him stronger and heal him. The romance was frustrating to say the least. Noelle planned and planned...and planned to get away from Faran and his merrymen but she never got anywhere. It became quite tiresome to watch these two resist what was between them.

The language was a bit daunting for me. Because Faran is an immortal who comes from an old world, he speaks like a true ancient. I found myself translating the dialogues because I wasn't a fan; but kudos to the author for keeping it real. There's a lot you could learn from this book but if you're a non-believer of the Faith, you might find yourself at an odds with it. I know the author tried not to implicate which religion but it kind of goes without saying. Anyway, I wasn't put off. I was focused on the story and not so much on what was going on in the background.

I think for someone who's had enough of the same old breed of hot men in PNR, the knights would be a nice change of pace.

[Mei · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was much better than the first.
There's still too much angst, but it is better explained and I found it more acceptble.
The main characters are both flawed, but in an endearing way. I wanted to reassure Noelle about her appearance, she was like an ugly duckling. All she needed was someone to make her feel beautiful. And Farran was really very intuitive about that. Not at the beginning, but when he started to fall for her he made her feel that he found her irresistible.
Farran, on the other hand, was deeply wounded by his first traitorous wife. On top of that put the darkness that had seeped in him during his battles against the evil and you'll have a very disturbed male.
But with her innocence Noelle helps him heal, even if he battles her for a loooong time!
And when they both cannot endure any more of the sexual tension... WOW... The love scesnes are sizzling! You feel the heat, but it is very tastefully done.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Original Post at Fangs, Wands and Fairy Dust
IMMORTAL SURRENDER TAKES NO PRISONERS on 9/6/2012

MMORTAL SURRENDER
Curse of the Templars, Book 2
By Claire Ashgrove
TOR Romance
9/25/2012
Sent unsolicited by publisher. No remuneration was exchanged and all opinions expressed herein are my own unless stated otherwise.


Farran de Clare, loyal member of the cursed Knights Templar, wants nothing to do with predestined mates. Even the Almighty won’t turn him into a fool again—he’d rather sacrifice his soul. Yet in the scientist Noelle Keane, a devout atheist, Farran meets the seraph designed for him.

Ordered by the archangel Gabriel to protect Noelle, the possessor of a sacred relic that could give Azazel incredible power, Farran swears to do his duty—but in name only. Fighting an attraction that grows with each day, he’s determined that he’ll never pledge himself to her.

As they war over her future, their mutual passion ignites a conflict far more damning. But before Noelle will agree to eternity with him, she demands the ultimate sacrifice – his heart. www.claireashgrove.com


I read the first in this sexy series, IMMORTAL HOPE when I had the flu last winter. As sick as I was I read through the whole book when normally I would just spend the time moaning about how sick I was. Looking back at the review I can tell I was sick because it is somewhat incoherent (at least I hope that is why!).

Noelle is the second predestined mate found by the knight for whom she has been destined. An atheist, she doesn't believe in Seraphs much less know she is one. She's one of those women from TV who looks all prim and uptight until she takes off her glasses and lets her hair be loose. Then she's a wicked stunner, at least to her knight. But in Noell's case she is still insecure physically with Farran and she thinks his religious leanings are delusional. And, he behaves like a total ass. I like how Ashgrove took time for Noelle's emotional and mental profile to adapt to her new reality. At least it took time in the story but in "book time" it was only the matter of a week or so.

Farran is a bit of an ass-hat who is constantly weighed down by his 900 years of baggage; especially his ex-wife. He goes back and forth on this a lot and overcoming this is a lot of the story's backbone.

A lot of elements are in play. Tying up an old storyline, fulfilling this one and building up story for future books. Ashgrove did a lot of research and it is evident in her portrayal of the Templar's beliefs and the behavior of the knights.

It takes quite a bit of the book for Ashgrove to let our two main players hook up. Let's not forget that Farran is religious and hooking up can temporarily lose him his position as a knight. Also, committing to a woman would require that he give up some baggage he's been carrying for about 870 years. Sometimes we forget we are even carrying something.

Once they do get together it is pretty steamy and passionate. The good kind of vanilla. And, like the first book, aside from the external threats posed by evil forces, it is poor communication skills that cause the biggest problems for the two.

Ashgrove pays good attention to little details that, if ignored, would grate on me; little things like transporting Noelle's cat and retrieving her purse are mentioned. I don't know about you but I am always thinking, "What about her pocketbook? She'll need that in a few minutes."

I also liked how Noelle wasn't afraid to try daring escapes and used her professional expertise to do so. She also came equipped with some fighting skills and a decent dose of courage.

If you read this blog much you know I am sensitive to religious themes due to my own baggage. I wasn't not certain here whether Ashgrove is expressing her own beliefs or just conveying the reality for the world occupied by her series. The religious aspect occasionally came up and in fact it started out that way for me with the following:

“How’s it feel to prove the existence of Christ?”
The wavering masculine voice invaded Noelle Keane’s laboratory as a door clicked shut. She looked over her shoulder to greet aging archaeologist Gabriel San Lucee with a smile.
TOR MACMILLAN Website Excerpt

But the romance and the story overcame it; It didn't bug me enough to stop my reading. My uncertainty lead me to ask the author about it:

Is there a religious belief being put forth for the story or are you merely expressing the realities of the "Curse of the Templar" world?

As a fiction author, and as someone who has walked a lot of paths spiritually, I don’t believe in putting a “message” into the books I write – at least not in a religious way. Maybe a love conquers all way.

When writing about the Knights Templar, their religious ties, however, are inescapable, and that aspect needed to be part of my series. There was no avoiding it. What is present is a lot of Christian Mythos, and I’ve tried to present it in as fictionalized way as possible, so as not to come across as ‘preachy’ or that this is a religious story. In fact, I’ve taken several of those fundamentalist theories and turned them on their end, such as having Azazel be the king of all evil, as opposed to Satan. According to legend, the nephilim were eradicated from the earth. According to my series they were given a means of redemption. I’ve used the serpents as a holy icon, and so forth.

I suspect you may ask this because of Noelle’s atheist perspective and the growth arc that she takes. Her character was merely developed to compliment Farran’s character, and to fulfill the portion of the prophecy “She who is blind”. She needed to be as truly innocent as possible, and when considering what the Templar Knights stand for, her faith needed to be incorporated. I can say, without spoiling the series, that Immortal Surrender is the only book in the series that will address the aspect of faith in the detail and depth presented here.
So yes, summing up that long answer – it is merely a reflection of the characters, most particularly the Knights Templar belief structure. Claire Ashgrove's response.


I also asked about a Templar Knight character, Iain, who appears in the prologue but who is not mentioned in the body of the story:

Let me say that Iain will be seen again, and his presence in the opening of the book serves a deeper purpose that I’m not willing to delve into much detail about, at this time. Why did I choose to open with this scene? I felt it gave a very visceral picture of Azazel, of the lengths he is willing to go to, and the jeopardy not only the knights face, but the seraphs as well. Immortal Hope did not touch on the threat to the seraphs from Azazel, and that aspect needed to become prominent from the start of Immortal Surrender. Claire Ashgrove's response.


I have been seeing a lot of Immortal Templar themed work in the past year; Are they the new supernatural with a human face? And, I am looking forward to the next in the series, IMMORTAL TRUST. This is a "highly recommend" for me, especially if you enjoy traditional paranormal or historic romance.

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some books you just really anticipate because of the wonderful job the author did when penning the first one. I had no fears that the sequel would not live up to the anticipation either and I am pleased to report that I was right.

For those who have not read the first book, Immortal Hope, I caution you that there may be some mild spoilers in my review so read on at your own risk. Yes, that was a broad hint that these books need to be read in order. The first book gives the detailed back history to the Templar knights' history, their curse, the promise of the seraphs, the presence of the angels, the nature of the evil they fight and even the modern workings of the Temple. Reading this one first would leave you lost and confused like the side affects of some allergy meds.

Immortal Surrender jumps into the action almost immediately. Dr. Noelle Keane is a scientist who dates historic objects. She is a true blue scientist who rejects all matters of faith and only believes in that which her rational mind and five senses can tell her. She has just dated a rare religious cloth that is thought to be part of a shroud of Christ. Now she must escort it back to its home in Spain where she will share her findings with Father Phanael. Her friend, Gabriel, who is retired from doing similar work, still keeps his hand in the pie by bringing her artifacts to study and date. He is also one who believes in the religious significance of all the items he brings her. This time, he is adamant that she is in danger and bends her arm into accepting bodyguards. Being a little resentful, Noelle is determined to prove that she can care for the shroud so she pulls a switch and hides it in her purse letting Lucan, one of the guards take the fake satchel to the airport- a move that will later have far-reaching consequences. Noelle is accompanied by Gabriel's other guard, Farran, to her apartment to shower and change before heading to the airport. Farran is the most masculine, handsome man she has ever seen and he makes it clear that he wants nothing to do with her.

Farran de Clare wants nothing to do with the woman he has been saddled with and only seeks to discharge his duties quickly so he can get back to the fight against the demons. Women are nothing but liars and seducers for their own gain he has learned the hard way. It gets worse for Farran when he discovers soon after a demon attack on their vehicle that not only is Noelle a seraph (women who are descended from angels with the ability to take away the darkness in the knight who is their match), but she is his personal seraph. Farran is repulsed at the idea of binding himself to another woman. He will take Noelle to the Temple, she will swear the oath, he will receive her light, and then they will part. At least that's his plan, but we all know what happens with the best laid (or shall I say mislaid) plans of men-

The story is exciting on two fronts. The battle with Azazel, his demons, and the fallen knights still rages as they seek to gather all the powerful religious artifacts, hunt down the Seraphs and war against the weakening knights. There are a few fierce conflicts between the two factions throughout the book. There was also that intriguing group of conspirators who are working toward some hidden objective within the Knights' group and then there is the problem of Tane who is still around and seeking to redeem himself for the actions from the first book. And if that is not enough, there is still the disappearance of Anne's twin that remains unresolved.

But the largest portion of the plot is dedicated to the personal conflict and tug o' war attraction being waged between Farran and Noelle. Normally, I am not entertained by a relationship that blows hot and cold and doesn't seem to progress very much, but this one is one of the exceptions to the rule because the reasons behind the struggles between Farran and Noelle make sense and would cause a tension between hiding vulnerabilities behind withdrawal and the desire to reach out to have what they really want. Now that is not to say that I didn't grow frustrated a few times with their misunderstandings and miscommunications. I have to cut them some slack because several times their attempts to talk and reach out to each other were interrupted.

The two main characters, on the surface, would not seem to be a good fit. Farran is a man with rough edges and only has skills in waging war. Noelle is a scientist and a woman that most men give no notice too. But it’s below the surface where the connection is made. Noelle is strong under the layers of doubt and innocence. Farran is gentle and vulnerable under his strength. I could not wait for the moment that they made their peace and declared themselves.

And as in the last book, it all comes down to a grand climactic scene that leaves you reading with baited breath when the hero is on the point of death and succumbing to darkness along with the endangered heroine in the face of mighty evil set to win out.

Wonderful read for those who enjoy paranormal romance involving angels, demons, and a new take on the Knights Templar lore.

Thanks go to Net Galley for providing this requested book for review purposes.

[April Siegfried · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing sequel to the first. Cant wait to start the third! Claire is amazing!

This is my new favorite series! Claire is a wonderful storyteller. I can't wait to start the next book. This one is even better than the first!

[Ni_kii · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really 4.5 Stars
Reviewed at http://scorchingbookreviews.blogspot....

Noelle has been carbon dating archaeological finds for nearly 6 years. Over that period of time, her aged friend Gabriel has given her many religious artifacts to examine. Some have been real and some fake, but the latest one has come up trumps. He has brought her the Sudarium of Oviedo, a piece of cloth supposedly used to clean up Christ after his crucifixion, and the dating seems to match the story. Being the possessor of such a relic could leave her in danger from fanatics, so Gabriel hired her a team of body guards. Unfortunately, none of them seem to love the assignment....

Farran is part of the Knights Templar and the main bodyguard of Noelle. She thinks that she is just returning the relic to its rightful owner but the truth is actually far more sinister. The Relic can give Azazel incredible power and so he is quite willing to send his Demons to kill her to get it. The Archangel Gabriel (i.e. Gabriel her friend) has ordered him to protect the relic, well that’s what he thinks until he discovers that she is a Seraph. In fact, she’s not just any Seraph; she’s the Sepraph that is destined to be his mate.

Farran wants nothing to do with a predetermined mate. He knows that they have to be mates in public, but he will not give her either his body or his heart. Noelle is a complete atheist who rejects the very idea of all things Catholic. When Farran tells her what she is, she literally laughs in his face. He doesn’t want a mate, she doesn’t believe in mates (but thinks he may be a little bit crazy) but there is definitely an attraction simmering underneath their chatter. Will they give into their lust (of course they will :D ) And once they do, will their differences make it any more than an act of release of sexual energy?

Well, this book was unexpected. I hadn’t read the first in the series but the attention to detail in this one made me feel like I’d missed nothing. The order of the Templar’s are charged with the protection of the Earth and Church from Demons. They walk the world alone until they find their Seraph, the one that is mean’t to be their mate. The mated pair will have an identical mark somewhere on their body and this shall be their identifier once they are discovered. If the Templar becomes tempted or broken, he shall become a Dark Knight and this is the one thing that we are trying to avoid.

Our particular Templar is a complete prat. He carries around a lot of baggage to do with his ex-wife and has vowed never to allow himself to be manipulated by a woman again. Once he realizes that she is his mate, he starts to become almost paranoid about her supposed “manipulations” towards him. She wears perfume, she’s trying to seduce him. She wears a jumper to bed, she is flaunting her womanly wiles. It really is quite amusing. He is so desperate to push her away, he is quite willing to turn her into a complete whore in his mind to achieve his goal. Unfortunately for him, you can only fight an attraction like his for so long and then they are scorching up the sheets together. But their individual reasons remain and then there is the pesky mission to keep her alive still looming.... it could all go very wrong. He was an arrogant man who wore his heartbreak like a shield against the world.

Noelle is a complete atheist who thinks everyone around her is completely bonkers. I liked her but she wasn’t one for seeing what was in front of her face very easily. I enjoyed her feistiness and completely agreed with her initial Farran stance. Who the hell would be flattered to be repeatedly treated like a whore, told they were unwanted and treated with something akin to disdain simply because she has a particular mark that she didn’t volunteer to carry. She was refreshing and intriguing....I hope we see more of her in subsequent books!

Overall, this was a hot and steamy read set in this imaginative world where Knights are immortal and Angels walk amongst us. With two incredibly hard-headed leads, this was never going to be an easy ride. A recommended read and series.... bring on book 3 J

[Michelle Leah Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION’s Pack Alpha – Michelle L. Olson:

Another incredible installment in THE CURSE OF THE TEMPLARS series by Claire Ashgrove. Not quite as action packed as Immortal Hope, but engaging and thrilling just the same.

Picking up where Immortal Hope, book #1, left off, the Order is still guarding the gates, fighting back Azazel’s minions, their fallen brethren, and doing whatever they can to keep the darkness within themselves at bay.

Dr. Noelle Keane, the 2nd of the prophesied seraphs, is commissioned to carbon date and validate another of the sacred relics. In keeping with his meddling ways, Archangel Gabriel presents Noelle with her Templar torc, thus setting in motion events beyond her control. As the prophesied 2nd seraph, Noelle is said to be ‘The Blind’. That is at first taken literally due to her declining eye sight, but what it comes to mean is much more profound – the fact that she’s blind to the truth and the glories of the Almighty. She’s a true scientist and struggles with faith.

When one of her appointed guards, Farran de Clare, realizes that Noelle bears his matching mark and that she is HIS seraph, things get a little dicey. Farran is quite possibly one of the only Order Knights who wants nothing to do with a seraph. He has some pretty heavy duty baggage from his past and refuses to be made a fool again by any woman. His honor and allegiance to the Order supercede everything, however, and he resolves to take the oath with Noelle, if only to strengthen his sword for the cause.

Grumpy, duty bound Farran and naïve, insecure Noelle are an interesting match. Despite their mutual passions, their combined stubbornness is overwhelming and quite the roadblock. Misunderstandings abound, and the entire situation is quite volatile. Farran does everything in his power to distance himself from Noelle, and Noelle simply thinks Farran is insane. The back and forth of these things and the growth of the characters both individually and as a pair is a large part of the tale. Unlike Immortal Hope, Immortal Surrender didn’t get action packed until the end, but was an enjoyable read none-the-less.

Outside of Farran and Noelle’s story, Claire begins several side tales in this installment. The growing darkness within the other unmated knights, the side sects beginning to form, the organization of Azazel’s army, etc. The prologue confused me a bit though. It was about a Knight named Iain and his seraph Bianca, but after that initial action packed sequence Iain was never mentioned again. I can only assume that it was a segue to a future book and that we’ll find out what happens to him at a later date…

Once again I give Claire huge kudos for her attention to detail and the obvious research that went into writing these books. She has created an amazing world full of wonder and mystery and it’s obvious that she has taken the time to research what she’s writing about. I also like the journey she took with the growth of the characters in this book. Acerbic, unshakable Farran’s edges get softened and he caves to his heart, and Noelle’s insecurities and naivety give way to an inner strength and determination I wasn’t sure that we’d see from her.

LITERAL ADDICTION gives Immortal Surrender 4 Skulls and would recommend it to Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance lovers who are looking for something a bit different. I would suggest that readers start out with Immortal Hope before reading Immortal Surrender, however. While it can be read as a stand-alone, the introduction to the world and the supporting cast will be much more appreciated if the series is read as a whole.

[Dan Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before we start, I should point out that this is the SECOND of The Curse of the Templars series – and, like with The Pack: Retribution, I haven’t read the first book. So as such I’m going to treat this as a standalone book for the purpose of the review to be as fair as I can.

The plot is pretty basic – a standard good versus evil story whereby the Templars have been stuck in a long running battle with Azazel, a Dark Knight. In the midst of this battle, a young scientist called Noelle is taken into the custody of Farran, a Templar Knight. Realising that she has a special artefact that could swing the fight in Azazel’s favour, she is assigned to Farran as his seraph (or mate in other words) for her own protection. Problem is, Farran and Noelle just can’t get along with each other – so this arranged marriage is going to be a little tricky!

Being a romantic novel, I do appreciate that the bulk of the story has to be set around Farran and Noelle and the “will they, won’t they” relationship. And this book certainly plays on that – maybe just a little too much. Most of the novel, Noelle and Farran are either bickering with each other or having it off. But to be honest, most of the bickering got a little tiresome for me, at one point I half expected Farran to go “One of these days Noelle – POW! To the moon!” (bonus points if you get the reference).

I wouldn’t mind it so much, except that I didn’t really identify with the characters. Noelle was a good heroine and pretty feisty, but Farran I found way too stoic. I understand his motivations, and that he had been hurt before, but the book really made no attempt to make him likeable – for me anyway, so I couldn’t really support him as a hero.

The other problem I had was that the pace was a little too slow for my liking. Despite the main plot being about demons versus Templars, there was very little action in it. I really could have done with more fight scenes to balance out the romance. Also, there was a plot where one of the Templars (I won’t reveal which one) was a traitor and on the side of the enemy. That didn’t go anywhere and I was a little disappointed. Although I'm guessing it will be resolved in future novels.

That being said, when there was action, it was fun to read and actually well described. Had there been more of this then it would have perfectly balanced the story. And I will admit that I did like the idea of Farran’s point of view being written in “Old English” style. That was actually handled very well and gave a nice twist to the book.

As a Romance novel, it will definately appease those who want a straight forward love story. For me personally though, I wanted the characters to have a little more personality and be a bit more likeable than they were. It wasn’t a bad novel by any means and Claire Ashgrove clearly is a master in this field. Myself, I just needed a little more action in it to balance the plot a little more as it was a bit slow for me.

Despite a few pacing issues and some slightly uninteresting characters, Immortal Surrender will be a good read for those who just want a standard Romantic novel that isn’t too hard to follow. But for those who want something a little more action orientated, I can’t really recommend this one. It has lots of good ideas and, if it expands on them beyond just the standard love story concept, this could actually be an interesting and underrated book series.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Immortal Surrender is as good as Immortal Hope was and then some! Claire Ashgrove does an amazing job on her paranormal series about hot Templar Knights!

I remember saying in my previous review on Immortal Hope, that Templar Knights always fascinated me. So The Curse of Templars series starts for me with a huge advantage over similar paranormal romance series that feature vampires or werewolves or any other paranormal creature. That particular myth is among my favorites and most intriguing. So, thumbs up to Claire Ashgrove for creating such a fresh and unique universe and story. I really needed that amongst the overuse of all the other paranormal elements.

I enjoyed reading Immortal Surrender, even more than I did the first book in the series, even if I didn't fall in love with Farran as much as I did with Merrick :) Farran was as alpha as one could hope, but he overdid it with his surliness and in more than one cases I hoped he would stop living in the past and do what he can with his present. So, Merrick was a far more preferable main hero for my taste I'm afraid... Not that I didn't like Farran at all, it's just that after a certain point I was tired seeing him acting the way he did towards Noelle and I couldn't help but think that he did so just because he was still in love with his first wife Brighid (who had died more than 500 years ago...).

Noelle on the other hand, was just the perfect leading lady. Smart, independent, full of insecurities and ready to sacrifice herself to save Farran. A damsel in distress that actually saved the guy of the story in more than one ways and at last someone who actually stops to think and not believe immediately every paranormal story she hears. I mean, I'm tired of characters just taking for granted every irrational story they hear. Yeah, it might be the truth, but when you're raised believing certain things you can't just assume that what you hear is the truth and not the product of some mental illness... Noelle in that department won me over and her character in overall was believable.

The romance between them was scorching hot, despite Farran's back and forths. There was unmistakable attraction between them and like in the first novel, Ashgrove did a splendid job with building some sexual tension and not throwing her characters in bed from the first chapters.

The story is action packed, with maybe a few less action scenes than Immortal Hope had, but they were far better and more powerful. The scene of the final battle was simply incredible. The pace is even, not boring for a single moment, even when nothing crucial happens.

And last but not least, one of my favorite things about Claire Ashgrove's writing is the way she develops her characters, both main and secondary ones. Everyone has a certain role in her world and the way she develops her characters sets the motions for the next books in the series.

All in all, I absolutely loved Immortal Surrender and I can't wait to get the next book in my hands. If you love paranormal romance, just give this series a chance. It won't disappoint you.

[Cyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

GENRE: Romance
THEME: Fantasy/Mythology
RECEIVED: TOR
BLOG: http://seeingnight.blogspot.com/

REVIEW:
I love being able to jump into a series, even if I haven’t read the previous and understand what’s going on. Immortal Surrender may be the second novel in The Curse of the Templars series, but it’s perfect as a stand-alone. I immediately knew who the characters were from the first book, but all together each character introduced was memorable and had such vast personalities.

Immortal Surrender follows Noelle Keane who is the head scientist that tests artifacts for their authenticity. She has been ask to look over a rare piece known as the Sudarium of Oviedo for an elderly archeologist named Gabriel. But Gabriel is keeping much from her; she is connected to a group of men whom he leads to fight against Azazel. These men have been cursed and are known as the Templar Knights who battle demons for Gabriel. As a non-believer Noelle has been brought face to face with not only these Knights but also one that she can’t resist.

Noelle is a woman who is buried in her work; she also doesn’t really believe in anything “holy” and is blinded by a lot. As she become acquainted with the Templar Knights, it takes her quite a long time and I mean really long time to come to terms with what has been brought in her life. She is a Seraph (A women who is a descendent of angels and she brings the light back to a Templar Knight that was damaged by Azazel). Her destined soul mate is stubborn, moody and damaged and both make it difficult to connect to each other. But nonetheless the spark between them can’t be put out.

Farran is one heck of a man and a very manly man at that. He’s a warrior and wants to serve his duty, not be distracted by a woman. He holds a big grudge against a past lover and well…his heart has grown pretty cold over the many years. But as stubborn as Noelle might be, be prepared for an even more stubborn character, almost drove me crazy. He gives out more demands than just asking for Noelle to help him and that puts a strain in the growing relationship. The chemistry is always there though, hot and heavy, lighting the pages on fire. My only issue with Farran was his change of attitude every few chapter, the mood swings were a little over the top sometimes.

Overall I was really sucked into this world of the Templar Knights, the story was exciting and there was lots of action and character building outside of the romance. Of course this book has some great romance, this couple is a fiery one and Ashgrove knows how to write romance! It was hot! Even though this type of romance has been done, the angry guy with a broken heart and the stubborn girl, I felt the plot of the Templar Knights gave the story a big boost. I also can’t wait to learn more about Iain, whom we get a little peek at in the beginning.

RECOMMENDATION:
This is an adult series that contains a bit of violence and sexual content for mature readers. Fans of Lara Adrian’s Midnight Breed series and Gena Showalter’s Lords of the Underworld series will love Immortal Surrender by Claire Ashgrove.

[Heather Book Savvy Babe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Immortal Surrender swept me up in a romance involving the mysterious Templar Knights, Freemasons, demons and angels. I have always been intrigued by the mysterious Templars and Claire Ashgrove has given the historical Knights a touch of the supernatural and a thrilling mission. The Knights have been tasked with fighting evil, but with each victory, their souls pay a dark price. Finally, after almost a thousand years of fighting demons, salvation is close. When the Knights find their Seraph (a female descendant of the Nephilim), the Seraph brings light to their dark souls. Immortal Surrender is Farran and Noelle’s story.

Farran is a skilled fighter, dedicated to the Templar order and fighting evil. He has accepted that he is close to the end of his limits, he knows that the evil is close to overtaking him. He is also still harboring hurt and mistrust of women from his wife’s betrayal a thousand years earlier. The last thing Farran wants is to trust a woman, his Seraph with his life. However, duty commands him to bind himself to Noelle, if only he can get Noelle to agree. Noelle is an atheist, she does not believe in a higher power, she believes in what science can prove. As he prophecy says, she is blind. She thinks that Farran and the other warriors are either crazy or sadly misguided. She holds to her unbelief, and Farran’s blunt, rude behavior doesn’t help matters much.

At first, it was very difficult to like Farran and Noelle. Farran was very rude to Noelle, uncaring of her feelings while trying to keep himself distant. At the same time, Noelle acted like a brat to Farran and to the other Templars. As the pair got to know each other, they began to soften towards each other, and it became harder for Noelle to deny the supernatural occurrences surrounding the Templars. Both Farran and Noelle were frustrating at times, but they grew on me. By the end of the book, I wanted them to figure their issues out and save each other.

I am very impressed with this series. I love the concept of the Templar Knights, how they fight demons and fight to keep the evil Azazel from gaining in power. Claire Ashgrove has combined history, mystery, and the supernatural into a thrilling series. Each of the Templar Warriors have their own personal demons to battle, their own hurts and mistakes to overcome. The more I get to know the Knights, the more attached to the series I get. I can not wait to learn more about each of them, to find out what becomes of them, and who will save them. There is a fated-love aspect to this series, but each of the couples has to accept the love and be open to it.

Romance readers, if you like paranormal romances, brave knights, or mysterious warriors, you definitely want to give this series a try. I have found the Curse of the Templars series to be clever, well-written, and adventurous reads. I recommend reading this series in order. Book one, Immortal Hope provides the foundation and background on the Knights and their mission that you don’t want to miss.

[Lindsey ( United By Books Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Noelle Keane a Non-Believer of all things God ,was given a very important task to carbon date a sacred relic that her long time friend Gabriel brought her. As she produces the information to verify it is the real deal then she must return it to it's rightful place. Just not before the meddling Gabriel gives her a gift of the Seraph Torc. Of course she doesn't know that. She just knows she can't get the blasted thing off and that Gabriel is making her have bodyguards . One of them being the oh so smexy yet eternally grumpy Farran. Farran who is about to find out that she is one of the prophesied Seraphs. Unknown to him, she also bears his mark, and therefore she is his. Farran doesn't want a seraph he had already been burned by a woman and already accepted the inevitable, which is dying fighting against the Azazel .Yet, he agrees to take the oath. Just not pledge his loyalty. Noelle first off thinks he is crazy, and won't take a vow she doesn't mean with her full heart.

Let me start with this; it is my first trip into the Templars but will not be the last. I plan on going back and reading book one. Although, you can read this book as a stand alone and will have no trouble following it. I will say you get to see more of the characters from book one which will make it a case of you don't need to read book one but will want to go back to see what you missed.I really enjoyed my visit into this world.

Farran you are one sexy Templar, but you had me wanting to pull my hair out and yell at you myself in person. In a case of once burned, twice shy you took it to a level beyond that. You had me gnawing at the bit to gripe at you in certain instances and then you do a complete turn and I see swoon moments . While I really enjoyed Noelle; she was a strong character who you really enjoyed after you got over her self doubt about her looks but let's face it... That made her more real. Because as I see it, we all doubt our looks especially if we hadn't impressed guys in the past and here before us is a super smexy smoldering brute with a chip on his shoulder that we think wouldn't look twice at us. As Ashgroves writing progressed and both characters grew I fell in love with all in the story. Noelle held her own and got even stronger as the book went on . The slow build up to the passion between Farran and Noelle had me anxious for the big moment. You still enjoy all the background characters and try to think who you would like to see next get their story told. I also enjoyed the action and villains that Asgrove gave us. I had a hard time breaking away from the book to get cleaning and errands done myself, but I love a book that can hold me like that and Ashgrove delivered it. Now, I will anxiously read book one and am looking forward to book three. Please don't make us wait too long before we can journey back into this world of the fierce Templars and their amazing Seraphs.

[Avry15 · Rating 5 out of 5]

originally appeared on: Bookshelf Confessions

IMMORTAL SURRENDER, just by the title catches my attention. And I was so glad to find out that this book is all about angels, demons and cursed Templars! A mixed I heard so much about but hadn’t had time to read!

Reading the prologue, we get a glimpse, of Ian, a cursed Templar, who’s supposed to meet his seraph (a nephilim destined to purify his soul and end his course), only that what he found, left him breathless. Well, he found his seraph making out with no other than Azazel, the evil incarnate (that shows just how much Azazel would do to stop the Templars from having redemption) I could definitely say this prologue pulled me in to the world of Templars, and for the few hours that I’ve read it, I was there, enjoying the adventure and the romance!

Even though I’d rather read the first book just to know the minor characters more, this does not stop me from falling in love with this series. In fact, the book is a standalone, so there shouldn’t be any worries. And Ashgrove gave enough details to keep us in the story, but not too much that it’ll overwhelm us. She wonderfully weaves history with mythology and fantasy, that I cannot just get enough!

Farran and Noelle’s romance is a witty, tense and yet sweet encounter. Miscommunication leading to misunderstandings was used wisely in creating conflicts between these two protagonists. Farran, the ever loyal Templar, still broken from his ex-wife is afraid to fall in love again, worse to swore loyalty to a woman. Noelle, a certified atheist and scientist, doesn’t believe in destinies, more on the Almighty but not knowing that she’s a seraph, a creature she proves even in her dreams to be non-existent. Gabrielle, the ever-conniving Gabrielle, teams up this two, to let them grow and know each other, before dropping the bomb, that is—they’re fated!!!

In line with the battle of good and evil is the battle of wills from these two. The tension, may it be sexual or emotional leap off the pages. Their unique personalities are so well-defined that it suits the story perfectly well. We got a slow dance full of obstacles along the way from these two while discovering and protecting the artifact, and once the dance is in its peak, one can’t help but be carried away by their passion and devoted love for each other.

Overall, IMMORTAL SURRENDER is an adult book filled with fantasy, myth, curses, seraphs, Templars, evil, honor, courage and romance that you could happily wallow yourself in! This is a fast-paced, mystery filled, and romance-intense book, anyone will have fun enjoying!
Claire Ashgrove is an author I will definitely be reading more of! Very Highly Recommended!

Thanks so much Ms. Leah Withers @ TOR for giving me this book in exchange of an unbiased review, this book is one of my favorites..: :D

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The curse came when Farran de Clare and his brother knights of the Templar went against orders and discovered a forbidden scroll. For their act of disobedience they were given immortality to fight the evil demon Azazel and his minions. And with every kill of evil they made they would absorb some of that evil. But all is not lost; there is a prophecy that tells of the return of the seraphs that will redeem them.

Farran is not looking for redemption; he doesn’t believe he deserves it so when it knocks on his door in the form of an unbeliever he does everything in his power to deny it and her. But she’s in grave danger from the demon Azazel who wants the artifact she’s responsible for and it’s he who must protect her. But at what cost, his life, his immortality or his heart.
Dr. Noelle Keane is a firm unbeliever in a higher power; she’s relied on the science of fact for all of her life. When she and her bodyguard Farran are attacked she suddenly finds the black and white of her beliefs in question. When Farran tells of prophecies, demons and immortal knights she’s convinced he’s crazy until fiction becomes fact and she has a choice to make and the choice becomes more difficult the more she learns about this knight, his past and their future.
Farran and Noelle are one of the fated pairs of seraph and immortal knight and are stronger together but they each have their own reason to fight against divine promise and must make their own path and live with their choices. Will those choices save them or lead to their demise.
Claire Ashgrove has given me many hours of happy reading starting with her contemporary romance novels and now with her newest and fantastic series about the Templar Knights and the women who save them. It’s inventive, imaginative, epic and a fantastic mix of medieval fact and fiction encompassed by a beautiful romance complete with all the obstacles I’d expect from this doubting Thomas fated pair. Her hero and heroine fill the pages with their personalities and keep the pages turning with their antics and their deeds. The dialogue flows with a hint of the old amongst the common language of today and the narrative is fast paced, action filled and at times nail-biting terror along with the very tempestuous and sensual love scenes.
If you’ve never read Claire it’s time you did, if you’re looking for a new look in urban fantasy/paranormal or the Templar legend give this series a try. Even though this is novel two of a series it stands well on it’s own.
Claire thank you for this journey into myth and lore, I can’t wait to see where you take me on our next trip.
here's an interview I did with author Claire Ashgrove, enjoy - http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/t...

[Jen Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It's the second in Claire Ashgrove's Curse of the Templars series. And one of the things that I like best about these books is that each one features a tortured hero with a heroine who can save his soul.

In this case, our hero is Farran. Like Merrick before him, he doesn't want a seraph. He thinks he is too far gone. He wants one of his brothers to receive the gift. Beyond that, though, he is still nursing a 900 year-old heartbreak brought on by a treacherous and unfaithful wife.

Noelle is an unlikely choice for a seraph. She doesn't even believe in God, which makes the whole immortal Templar thing sound all the more insane to her. She does, however, trust in science. She dates and authenticates ancient relics for a living. She doesn't have much of a life beyond her work. Apparently, Noelle is plain and flat chested and no man has ever really been interested in her.

Once the angel Gabriel does his thing and orchestrates a meeting between Farran and Noelle, he realizes immediately that she is his fated match. He decides he must speak his oath to bind with her, in order to honor his duty, but he will never allow anything real to grow between them. He essentially kidnaps her, drags her back to the Temple and spends the rest of the book trying to force her to speak the oath back to him while he fights he growing feelings for her.

I like the world-building and the story is rich with great secondary characters. It gives the entire book such a great canvas. I enjoyed the tender moments between Farran and Noelle, but he also frustrated me at times with his thoughtless comments designed to put emotional distance between them. He wasn't a bad guy, but he was thick-headed. And 900 years is a long time to hold a grudge against women. As for Noelle, it kind of stretches credulity to think that any functional 29 year-old woman can be that innocent in 2012. Beyond that, I liked her well enough. She has a sharp mind and demands the kind of proof that most rational people would need. I just hated to see her feelings hurt so often.

When the walls finally start to come down between these two, the heat factor was fantastic. The love scenes were great and there was a fair amount of action worked in --as well as enough intrigue to keep me guessing. --Not everything is tied up neatly. There are definitely loose ends that will branch over to the next book. But the ending gives good closure on the relationship, so it's by no means a cliffhanger.

I liked it. And I'll read the next one when it comes out. I'm hoping for Sophie's story... with Tane perhaps? Or maybe Declan? I'm looking forward to it.

Rating: B


*ARC provided by author for review

[Stephine · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars


Earlier this year I read the first book in the The Curse Of The Templars series and fell in love at the first chapter. The whole story is so unique and exciting it draws you in from the start and you are left quickly turning pages just to read what will happen next. I love the whole world it is a modern love story with historical men who still have old fashion mannerisms and ways of doing things. The story has sexy immortals, angels and demons with a super hot love story.

... In 1119 Nine knights become the Knights of Templar. The knights discovered the holy relics but for there forbidden digging the angels punished them to spend eternity battling Azazel's creations. With each creature they killed the knights took part of the darkness into there soul and in time would become nothing more than one of Azazel' s minions of evil. The only salvation they have is the prophecy. The female descendant of the nephilim who can heal the darkness in there soul, if the knight can only find his destined Seraph.

When Farran was chosen to escort the doctor , he was not happy. But when he discovers that not only is she a seraph, she's HIS seraph to say he was mad would be a understatement. He wanted nothing to do with bonding to this or any other woman. Not after the last one he gave his heart and loyalty to. But something about this little scrap of a woman is shattering walls he spent a life time building around his heart. If he doesn't let her in and trust her he may loose her forever.

Noelle wasn't sure about these men her boss wanted guarding her wail she delivered the artifact. Then one of the men pretty much kidnaps her and takes her to what she can only fathom is some kind of Jesus cult. As much as this giant brut angers her he also sets her body alive. But how can she trust someone she believes to be crazy?

Noelle was amazing. Normally I do not care for females in the story. Usually they are either to headstrong or way to submissive. But Noelle was a brilliant blend of both. She was shy and insecure but was willing to stand up and fight for herself if the situation warranted it. She didn't make stupid decisions just to prove she was independent. She may not have been confident in herself but she could more than take care of herself. She was exactly what Farran needed to overcome the hurt and betrayal he still harbored from the previous owner of his heart.

Even when Farran was being a jerk to Noelle I loved him. I knew he didn't mean it and why he lashed out so I couldn't help but feel for him instead of getting mad at him for his rude behavior. I love this series I most definitely recommend this series if you have not already checked it out..
- Athenna

[Vilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review from Backchatting Books

Our next tortured Templar is Farran de Clare who has been assigned to act as a guard for respected scientist Noelle while she tests the Sudarium of Oviedo. Both these characters are incredibly stubborn – Farran isn’t interested in finding or romancing his seraph and Noelle’s atheism means she refuses to accept anything the Knights Templar say. I really enjoyed the first in the series so had fairly high expectations for this one. I was not disappointed.

Farran is quite an unusual Templar as while his colleagues are desperate to find their one true seraph that can rid their soul blackness, he just wants to hack and slash the baddies. Even when Gabriel contrives a meeting between him and his seraph Noelle, Farran refuses to play along. Acting as a typical alpha male he kidnaps Noelle, drags her back to his cave, sorry Temple, and pressures her into swearing an oath. He won’t pledge his loyalty because of emotional baggage he still carries around. Some men might get over their wife’s betrayal after a few hundred years or take the pledge plunge to save their soul but not Farran. I found myself admiring him on one level for sticking to his guns even though he knew exactly what was at stake. Other times I just felt like banging his head against the wall, repeatedly. He is surly, broody, angst ridden and obstinate so watching him butt heads with Noelle was delightful.

Noelle’s stubbornness makes her blind to what is going on around her. Her very slow conversion was enjoyable to watch as she tried to rationalise what was happening and come to grips with the fact that science couldn’t explain everything. I didn’t feel as if Ashgrove was trying to ram Christian ideology down my throat as this world is clearly make-believe and both characters needed to change their beliefs in order to achieve a HEA. I could see how others might react a little differently to some sections of the novel though. Noelle’s insecurities are many and Farran is surprisingly sensitive at times in helping her (other times he is boorish and inadvertently hurts her feelings). Their romance sizzles and it is worth the wait.

Although I loved the romance, I would have liked a bit more action as the Knights Templar are fighting a war for goodness sakes. Another quibble is that we have had two heroes that have resorted to kidnapping their seraphs – surely there is another way?

This novel is well worth a read but I recommend you start with the first so you aren’t disorientated and don’t miss out on Ashgrove awesomeness.

[Alicia (AtlantiaReads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Immortal Surrender" was a little slow to start relationship wise, but other than that this book was an amazing continuation of “The Curse of the Templar’s” series. This is the ultimate paranormal romance; its got demon’s, knights, angels, and predestined soul mates. Each of the Knights is being affected by the darkness that consumes their souls. Farran’s darkness is causing him to be bitter and angry all the time, but when Noelle comes around Farren finds himself laughing once again. There were a few things that I didn’t quite fully understand because I hadn’t read the first book “Immortal Hope” but in no way did it affect the quality of this book. I had great pleasure in reading this book, and I found Farran and Noelle to be an incredibly amazing couple. They have a few rocky patches but all in all they make a great example of a real relationship. Claire Ashgrove has a true talent for writing, at times I found myself comparing “Immortal Surrender” to some of my favorite books. Farren and Noelle’s story flowed nicely, and kept me gripping the pages eagerly waiting to see what happened next.

There is darkness each Templar Knight knows and feels. It is the overwhelming feeling of dread and the inkling feeling that their souls are withering away. Farran de Clare is one of the Knights and he is counting the days until his likely demise. He knows the darkness is consuming his heart and soul and is prepared to do anything for his fellow knights. The one thing he doesn’t see coming is the appearance of his Seraph or predestined mate. Noelle doesn’t believe in anything magical, she believes in what she can see and understand. But when Farren opens the door to a hidden society she can’t believe her eyes. Noelle is the only one who can heal Farran’s heart but will either of them be willing to let their feelings get the best of them?

Reviewed on Night Owl Reviews

http://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Rev...

[Rachel V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the sequel to Immortal Hope and the second book in The Curse of the Templars. I enjoyed reading this story and hope you will give this series a try also. I give this book 4 stars.

In this story there are more demons, more fighting and Azazel is more involved in this story raising the stakes for the Templars as Azazel continues his search for the holy artifacts to steal. The author managed to take two people that you knew would probably end up together and create a unique conflict between them that wasn’t just like all the others. The author made sure that each character has their own personalities and reasons behind everything they do. I felt that there was a lot of thought put into it and it shows.

The characters in this story, Farran and Noelle, were good but I didn’t like them quite as much as the previous book. They had a good love story but Farran fails to realize that all women are not like his wife until it is almost to late. His wife lived in the twelfth century not the twenty-first. The only reason that this story did not get five stars like the last one was because I just did not like or connect with Farran as much and I did in the first book but like anything different personalities and people clash so I think I would just get along with Merrick better than Farran. On the other hand Noelle is pretty cool. She has to make a large decision in this story in order to continue and I think she handles it well. I really enjoyed watching her grow as a character and come to grips with her destiny.

I think my favorite part of this book was right at the very end when they are in Spain. For more information on that you will just have to read the book. I can’t wait for the third in the series, Immortal Trust.

*I received free from author for honest review*

[Star · Rating 4 out of 5]

Farran de Clare thinks the search for the seraphs who could save the Templars’ souls from Azazel is a waste of time – at least for himself. He’s happy enough to let the darkness take him and have one of his Templar brothers kill him than bind himself to a woman again. The Archangel Gabriel has assigned him to protect Dr. Noelle Keane, a scientist working with the Shroud of Turin. Yet when he finds out Noelle is his seraph, he wants to take the oath and have nothing else to do with her. Best laid plans oft go awry as Farran soon will find out…

‘Immortal Surrender’ is a good addition to “The Curse of the Templars” series. I find it’s best to have read ‘Immortal Hope’ prior to reading this book to give you all the background information. I liked Farran’s gruff demeanor and unpolished ways. I wasn't sure how to picture Noelle because she said she felt unattractive and had struggled in her relationships with men, but Farran found her to be perfect. I liked the relationship between Farran and Noelle, difficult yet deep. I especially enjoyed how Ms. Ashgrove wrote Noelle as an atheist, which made convincing her of the truth even more of a challenge than in the previous book. I’m appreciating where Ms. Ashgrove is taking her readers and I look forward to see what she has in store for the rest of the Templars.

The Curse of the Templars series: Immortal Hope (1), Immortal Surrender (2), Immortal Trust (3)

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as soon as I think it can't get any better, along comes the next in this series. I am SO in love with these immortal Knights Templars!

Farran is dark and brooding and irresistible in my book. He's also a Metallica lover which had me smiling and won me over. He has sworn to never let another into his heart because of a treachery from his past. When he realizes that Noelle is his seraph he decides to speak the vows with her that will bring him his powers but not to fall in love with her. He will give her his protection but not his love, ever.

Noelle is a scientist. She doesn't believe in a higher power so to find herself in a situation that requires one to believe is just beyond her. She is thrown for loop after loop until she starts to believe then she finds she cannot, will not, speak the vows if Farran will not completely give himself to her.

This story brought me to laughter and to tears many times. Their struggle to let themselves trust and love was a great one and it brought me to my reading knees with my heart breaking before the happy ending took place.

Bring on Immortal Trust!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Noelle Keane has firm beliefs as an atheist, when she meets Farran de Clare she is forced to question every belief she has. Farran is a member of the cursed Knights Templar, who never wanted a mate especially after his own history with a woman and now he finds his Seraph in Noelle. Friction between Noelle and Farran is immediate, caveman behavior is predominate, but oh what a delicious read Immortal Surrender becomes as the two enter a reluctant journey with one another.

Unfortunately for me, I had not read the first book but definitely have plans to go and do it soon. There is a lot of history mixed into the story as well as intense action as Noelle is forced to believe in things she is certain do not exist. I thought the whole concept to this story was fascinating and loved the chemistry between Noelle and Farran, I could easily see this becoming a favorite series of mine.

[Cary Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claire Ashgrove has done it again. I thoroughly enjoyed the world she created in book one of The Curse of the Templars series, Immortal Hope, and she has followed through with an equally compelling story in Immortal Surrender. The heroine, Dr. Noelle Keane is wonderful in her brilliant quirkiness, while Noelle’s counterpart, Farran, is delicious but deeply troubled. I look forward to the third installment, Immortal Trust. One additional note: Despite Farran’s baggage, I would let that man give me a bath any day! Well done!

[Michel Reinhard (Saucy Southern Readers) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claire Ashgrove continues with her Curse of The Templars series. Immortal Surrender is book 2 of the series.

The Templar Knight who craves the darkness and forever death has found his Seraph. Although he wants nothing at all to do with women, let alone be bonded to one throughout eternity, he will do it for it is his sworn duty. But little does he know....his Seraph holds much more power over him than does his sworn duty.

I highly recommend this series!

[Pilvi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Merrick in the previous book and I now I loved Farran too :) Ashgrove has created just my kind of guys: big, muscular, strong, sexy! Maybe they are a bit too stubborn, but hey, nobody is flawless :D Can't wait for the next book!

[Helyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was a little disappointing and didn't grab me like the first one. Still intrigued by series premise...this one just fell a little flat. Review to come at www.smexybooks.com

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot Templar Knights....it was always gonna be a 5*s ;)
Review posted here
http://bookpassionforlife.blogspot.co...

[Shonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the second installment just as much or more than the first one.