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Sweet Surrender
CHERYL HOLT delivers another fast-paced, exhilarating novel of passion, betrayal, romance, and love that will have readers turning the pages to the very end… Jackson Scott has returned to England—after swearing he never would. A decade earlier, he fled to Egypt, seeking fame and fortune as an African adventurer. But his brother, the Earl of Milton, has died, and Jackson has been named guardian to the man’s young son. He’s chafing at the designation. He doesn’t want to assist his bumbling nephew, doesn’t want to deal with his scheming sister-in-law or domineering mother. Yet he can’t resist their incessant pull.
When beautiful, alluring Grace Bennett arrives unexpectedly at Milton Abbey, she has a young boy with her who she claims is her ward. She tells a fantastical tale about Jackson’s brother. It’s the story of a secret wedding. Of a secret love child finally brought home where he belongs. Of one boy who isn’t the earl and one boy who is.
Against his will, Jackson is attracted to Grace, and because he wants her so desperately, he can’t decide what is real, what is true. As their worlds collide and their ardor ignites, Jackson must separate fact from fiction, must learn the truth about Grace, despite where it might lead him. Enmeshed in a risky and clandestine affair, his passion for her grows, but so does the danger from those who would keep them apart.
“Best storyteller of the year…” Romantic Times Magazine
“A master writer…” Fallen Angel Reviews
www.cherylholt.com
When beautiful, alluring Grace Bennett arrives unexpectedly at Milton Abbey, she has a young boy with her who she claims is her ward. She tells a fantastical tale about Jackson’s brother. It’s the story of a secret wedding. Of a secret love child finally brought home where he belongs. Of one boy who isn’t the earl and one boy who is.
Against his will, Jackson is attracted to Grace, and because he wants her so desperately, he can’t decide what is real, what is true. As their worlds collide and their ardor ignites, Jackson must separate fact from fiction, must learn the truth about Grace, despite where it might lead him. Enmeshed in a risky and clandestine affair, his passion for her grows, but so does the danger from those who would keep them apart.
“Best storyteller of the year…” Romantic Times Magazine
“A master writer…” Fallen Angel Reviews
www.cherylholt.com
364 pages, ebook
First published November 5, 2012
62 people are currently reading
318 people want to read
About the author
Cheryl Holt
92 books396 followersCHERYL HOLT is a New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon “Top 100” bestselling author who has published seventy novels.
She’s also a lawyer and mom, and at age forty, with two babies at home, she started a new career as a commercial fiction writer. She’d hoped to be a suspense novelist, but couldn’t sell any of her manuscripts, so she ended up taking a detour into romance where she was stunned to discover that she has a knack for writing some of the world’s greatest love stories.
Her books have been released to wide acclaim, and she has won or been nominated for many national awards. She is considered to be one of the masters of the romance genre. For many years, she was hailed as “The Queen of Erotic Romance”, and she’s also revered as “The International Queen of Villains.” She is particularly proud to have been named “Best Storyteller of the Year” by the trade magazine Romantic Times BOOK Reviews.
She lives and writes in Hollywood, California, and she loves to hear from fans. Visit her website at www.cherylholt.com.
She’s also a lawyer and mom, and at age forty, with two babies at home, she started a new career as a commercial fiction writer. She’d hoped to be a suspense novelist, but couldn’t sell any of her manuscripts, so she ended up taking a detour into romance where she was stunned to discover that she has a knack for writing some of the world’s greatest love stories.
Her books have been released to wide acclaim, and she has won or been nominated for many national awards. She is considered to be one of the masters of the romance genre. For many years, she was hailed as “The Queen of Erotic Romance”, and she’s also revered as “The International Queen of Villains.” She is particularly proud to have been named “Best Storyteller of the Year” by the trade magazine Romantic Times BOOK Reviews.
She lives and writes in Hollywood, California, and she loves to hear from fans. Visit her website at www.cherylholt.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
December 1, 2012
I originally wrote this review for Novels Alive TV, but wanted to share here on Good Reads as well. Please note that the book is available now through Amazon only.
Christmas will come early this year with the arrival on December 1st of New York Times Bestselling Author Cheryl Holt’s steamy new Regency book, Sweet Surrender!
From the first moment they meet the chemistry between Jackson Scott and Grace Bennett is so volatile I actually feared for the life of my smart phone. When you take one completely unrepentant rake who practically oozes with “Take me I’m Yours” and a high spirited, no-nonsense, sharp tongued female on a mission and put them in the same room you just know sparks aren’t just going to fly, they are going to explode.
The rapid fire banter and mutual loathing mixed with desire dialog between Jackson and Grace will give your swiping finger a real work out trying to keep up, while your heart and mind are busy screaming, “Just kiss her already!”
All the characters good and evil alike, not only interlace beautifully within the story but enhance it to a degree that they take on a vivid life all their own, especially the very sweet and special friendship that develops between the two young boys at the center of it all.
To say this story is a real page turner is a gross understatement, so make sure to clear several hours from your schedule before you begin, because I can guarantee that once you start reading you won’t be able to put it down until the end.
Christmas will come early this year with the arrival on December 1st of New York Times Bestselling Author Cheryl Holt’s steamy new Regency book, Sweet Surrender!
From the first moment they meet the chemistry between Jackson Scott and Grace Bennett is so volatile I actually feared for the life of my smart phone. When you take one completely unrepentant rake who practically oozes with “Take me I’m Yours” and a high spirited, no-nonsense, sharp tongued female on a mission and put them in the same room you just know sparks aren’t just going to fly, they are going to explode.
The rapid fire banter and mutual loathing mixed with desire dialog between Jackson and Grace will give your swiping finger a real work out trying to keep up, while your heart and mind are busy screaming, “Just kiss her already!”
All the characters good and evil alike, not only interlace beautifully within the story but enhance it to a degree that they take on a vivid life all their own, especially the very sweet and special friendship that develops between the two young boys at the center of it all.
To say this story is a real page turner is a gross understatement, so make sure to clear several hours from your schedule before you begin, because I can guarantee that once you start reading you won’t be able to put it down until the end.
July 14, 2013
This review is from: Sweet Surrender (Kindle Edition)
The concept of this book was really good, and it started off on fire....then it just fizzled out.
In the beginning we find Jackson having an orgy in the mansion that had been his childhood home. He has no use for the mousy little woman, Grace, who stomps in and ruins all his fun. He plans to throw her and her family out on the street until he sees her charge who looks just like his deceased brother.
Then, for some unexplained reason, he falls into lust for Grace and sends all his orgy gals back to London so he can have just the tiny little woman.
A second son, Jackson was a self-made man. He was despised by his mother, but we never did really find out what her problem was.
I thought that Grace's sister was a bit over-sexed for that time, and even for now. Something was just plain wrong with that girl.
I didn't understand his best friend either. They were childhood friends,great buddies, yet Duncan secretly resented Edward and Jackson their wealth.
I like Cheryl Holt, but this was not one of her best.
The concept of this book was really good, and it started off on fire....then it just fizzled out.
In the beginning we find Jackson having an orgy in the mansion that had been his childhood home. He has no use for the mousy little woman, Grace, who stomps in and ruins all his fun. He plans to throw her and her family out on the street until he sees her charge who looks just like his deceased brother.
Then, for some unexplained reason, he falls into lust for Grace and sends all his orgy gals back to London so he can have just the tiny little woman.
A second son, Jackson was a self-made man. He was despised by his mother, but we never did really find out what her problem was.
I thought that Grace's sister was a bit over-sexed for that time, and even for now. Something was just plain wrong with that girl.
I didn't understand his best friend either. They were childhood friends,great buddies, yet Duncan secretly resented Edward and Jackson their wealth.
I like Cheryl Holt, but this was not one of her best.
October 4, 2013
Although I enjoyed the plot very much, I was disappointed that there was so many modern ideas, attitudes, and phrases in it for a Regency tale. I was annoyed with the hero for most of the story, so I couldn't really connect with him. And others were just outright unsavory or immature. I wanted to really like Sweet Surrender, hoping that Holt went back to writing lushly sensual stories like in her earlier books, but I was mostly torn between indifference and frustration with this one. 2.5 stars.
February 3, 2014
Because sometimes you need to read a romance.
February 27, 2017
Historical English romance set mostly on a Earl's country estate, just after the death of the Earl and his younger brother is dealing with the aftermath of the succession as well as a secret baby plot.
There is a lot of crazy people. It might be just pure selfishness and not true insanity, but the Scott family is crazy. The only sane one is the 9 year old Micheal Scott, but perhaps in time he might be as crazy as his grandmother and his uncle.
I really liked the other kid, Percival in this story which could have easily have become a spoiled tyrant, but was just a sweet child with no confidence.
Jackson Scott is back in England after living in Egypt for the past decade, he spent the time ignoring his family, but now he has to deal with them with a vengeance. Miss Grace Bennett shows up at Milton to help her ward Micheal Scott find his paternal family. The story is insane, but it just shows that even the dead Earl was incredibly selfish as his crazy mother and his fake wife.
There was so much plot and twists in this story that it really didn't need the kidnapping.
I liked this crazy story, it was really well written and edited.
I've been reading a lot of kindle freebies that are FILLED with editing mistakes and typos. Sigh. This book is a smooth good read.
364 pages and kindle freebie
3 stars
There is a lot of crazy people. It might be just pure selfishness and not true insanity, but the Scott family is crazy. The only sane one is the 9 year old Micheal Scott, but perhaps in time he might be as crazy as his grandmother and his uncle.
I really liked the other kid, Percival in this story which could have easily have become a spoiled tyrant, but was just a sweet child with no confidence.
Jackson Scott is back in England after living in Egypt for the past decade, he spent the time ignoring his family, but now he has to deal with them with a vengeance. Miss Grace Bennett shows up at Milton to help her ward Micheal Scott find his paternal family. The story is insane, but it just shows that even the dead Earl was incredibly selfish as his crazy mother and his fake wife.
There was so much plot and twists in this story that it really didn't need the kidnapping.
I liked this crazy story, it was really well written and edited.
I've been reading a lot of kindle freebies that are FILLED with editing mistakes and typos. Sigh. This book is a smooth good read.
364 pages and kindle freebie
3 stars
August 28, 2023
Heroine and hero fall in love within two weeks of knowing each other. This also has a side romance about her sister who falls in love and marries her guy even quicker. An epilogue is needed for closure on missing details like...did the hero ever inform his three mistresses' in Egypt that they should find a new job, did the villainous ex love who was sent to live miles away to her fathers keep away and same for his villainous mom that he sent to Wales?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2023
Once Again! A Classic
Whenever one wants to read an intriguing saga, try one of Cheryl Holt’s. Her characters are delightful and somewhat realistic. She creates two adorable lads although unrelated become bonded to each other as brothers. Intrigue, devotion, scandal and restoration make for a great book.
Whenever one wants to read an intriguing saga, try one of Cheryl Holt’s. Her characters are delightful and somewhat realistic. She creates two adorable lads although unrelated become bonded to each other as brothers. Intrigue, devotion, scandal and restoration make for a great book.
May 1, 2019
RRRC - 2019 April Monthly Challenge
May 12, 2021
Very entertaining
A rather Cinderella type of story but rather good it even had a wicked witch it was rather fun and I enjoyed it.
A rather Cinderella type of story but rather good it even had a wicked witch it was rather fun and I enjoyed it.
February 1, 2013
This book is... OK. I liked it, don't get me wrong. But it didn't thrill me.
Why?
1. Too much arguing: Yes, I know that the sexual tension between Grace and Jackson is supposed to make the book. But these two can't hold a single conversation, it seems, without arguing. Everyone seems to argue their way through the book. It was a little grating...
2. Too obvious a solution: They all seem to take the long way home to figure out what to do about this "problem". While I appreciate the dilemmas about love and marriage, the dilemma about what to do with Michael and Percy seems obvious. There are a couple of good paths to choose from, but Jackson gets too caught up in what's "right" and what society allows, and then he gets jumbled by all the romance and his mother/sister-in-law stuff.
In my own roundabout way, I'm trying to say that this book takes a very meandering, roundabout way to tell a very simple story.
I *do* appreciate the dilemma and the attending scandal. It's not easy to announce that the previous Earl fooled everyone by illegally marrying a second wife, because she happened to be the "right" society choice. Just because the first wife thinks her husband is dead doesn't mean that the Earl can get away with polygamy!
The real scoundrel in this whole story is Edward Scott, the elder brother and former earl. He's the one too weak to decide what he really wants... he's the one bullied into marrying his brother's girl, even though he knows that he's already married. He's the one who makes his first wife and son think that he's dead, simply to spare them and to live his life with his illegal second wife.
It's almost too difficult for me to get past all of that and pay attention to this story.
3. The "sex" stuff: OK, if you're going to introduce steam into a book, let's not get all prudish about it, shall we? The terms used (like "phallus" and "copulation") might very well be how a Regency gentleman thinks of things. Perhaps we're too spoiled with our modern sensibilities and modern views; but when the author interchanges such stuffy terms with the more modern "c*ck", it makes me think that she isn't sure, herself, which direction to go in. And it's just plain silly to this reader. Besides, the steam isn't all that steamy - perhaps because of the hilarity of the terms and descriptions. Are we venturing into the prudish Victorian era or are we still in Regency England? (The date given is 1814, which puts us in the more liberal Regency England, but I'd swear the author got her times and monarchies confused.)
All in all, this isn't a bad book. It's just that with so many other books on my TBR shelf, I'm not sufficiently impressed as to seek out similar books by this author. I like an author to KNOW what the book is about and not to try to impress me with the number of words or pages.
Why?
1. Too much arguing: Yes, I know that the sexual tension between Grace and Jackson is supposed to make the book. But these two can't hold a single conversation, it seems, without arguing. Everyone seems to argue their way through the book. It was a little grating...
2. Too obvious a solution: They all seem to take the long way home to figure out what to do about this "problem". While I appreciate the dilemmas about love and marriage, the dilemma about what to do with Michael and Percy seems obvious. There are a couple of good paths to choose from, but Jackson gets too caught up in what's "right" and what society allows, and then he gets jumbled by all the romance and his mother/sister-in-law stuff.
In my own roundabout way, I'm trying to say that this book takes a very meandering, roundabout way to tell a very simple story.
I *do* appreciate the dilemma and the attending scandal. It's not easy to announce that the previous Earl fooled everyone by illegally marrying a second wife, because she happened to be the "right" society choice. Just because the first wife thinks her husband is dead doesn't mean that the Earl can get away with polygamy!
The real scoundrel in this whole story is Edward Scott, the elder brother and former earl. He's the one too weak to decide what he really wants... he's the one bullied into marrying his brother's girl, even though he knows that he's already married. He's the one who makes his first wife and son think that he's dead, simply to spare them and to live his life with his illegal second wife.
It's almost too difficult for me to get past all of that and pay attention to this story.
3. The "sex" stuff: OK, if you're going to introduce steam into a book, let's not get all prudish about it, shall we? The terms used (like "phallus" and "copulation") might very well be how a Regency gentleman thinks of things. Perhaps we're too spoiled with our modern sensibilities and modern views; but when the author interchanges such stuffy terms with the more modern "c*ck", it makes me think that she isn't sure, herself, which direction to go in. And it's just plain silly to this reader. Besides, the steam isn't all that steamy - perhaps because of the hilarity of the terms and descriptions. Are we venturing into the prudish Victorian era or are we still in Regency England? (The date given is 1814, which puts us in the more liberal Regency England, but I'd swear the author got her times and monarchies confused.)
All in all, this isn't a bad book. It's just that with so many other books on my TBR shelf, I'm not sufficiently impressed as to seek out similar books by this author. I like an author to KNOW what the book is about and not to try to impress me with the number of words or pages.
July 23, 2013
http://lerporgostonaocansa.wordpress....
Ufa, estava dificil de escrever esta opinião.
Cheryl Holt mais uma vez surpreende e agarra-nos à narrativa de unhas e dentes. Um romance histórico cheio de confrontos, tanto de palavras como físicos, com muita tensão sexual e atracção entre Jackson e Grace.
O elemento mais novo desta história não é nada secundário e é aqui que eu acho que esta obra, com uma base não muito original, acaba por ganhar. Ele vai mudar e influenciar muitas personagens, incluindo o par amoroso principal. É engraçado que ao relembrar a história me aperceba desta interação e relação causa-efeito que não notei ao ler estas páginas. Cheryl Holt, muito subtilmente, faz que esta pequena personagem apoio e assim altere a vida do amigo, que por sua vez vai salvá-lo a ele e à irmã, dando-nos assim o final feliz porque tanto ansiamos.
Claro que pelo meio encontramos muito drama, graças principalmente ao feitiozinho de Jackson, mas por outro temos mistério e segredos que vão colorindo ainda mais toda esta novela de época.
Uma obra que se lê maravilhosamente, mesmo em formato digital e em inglês.
Ufa, estava dificil de escrever esta opinião.
Cheryl Holt mais uma vez surpreende e agarra-nos à narrativa de unhas e dentes. Um romance histórico cheio de confrontos, tanto de palavras como físicos, com muita tensão sexual e atracção entre Jackson e Grace.
O elemento mais novo desta história não é nada secundário e é aqui que eu acho que esta obra, com uma base não muito original, acaba por ganhar. Ele vai mudar e influenciar muitas personagens, incluindo o par amoroso principal. É engraçado que ao relembrar a história me aperceba desta interação e relação causa-efeito que não notei ao ler estas páginas. Cheryl Holt, muito subtilmente, faz que esta pequena personagem apoio e assim altere a vida do amigo, que por sua vez vai salvá-lo a ele e à irmã, dando-nos assim o final feliz porque tanto ansiamos.
Claro que pelo meio encontramos muito drama, graças principalmente ao feitiozinho de Jackson, mas por outro temos mistério e segredos que vão colorindo ainda mais toda esta novela de época.
Uma obra que se lê maravilhosamente, mesmo em formato digital e em inglês.
December 15, 2012
I picked up this book while it was on the free list, not sure what to expect, but it looked kind of fun. I was in the middle of a pretty serious series at the time and wanted something light to read between the books. This was perfect! Fun, sweet, and romantic with just enough drama to fuel the plot. I found all of the characters interesting, and well-written. It was just what I was looking for and I will be reading more from this author!
February 2, 2013
Grace finds herself the guardian of her best friends son, and takes it on herself to reach out to his estranged family. This opens a world of trouble when the truth comes out, his dad was married and had another son. Meeting his uncle is not what Grace had imagined. He´s a cad, a player and will not aid them.
A historical romance, smutty fluff and twists.
3,5 Stars because sometimes you just want the heroine to trust her hero, ie not believe the first ugly thing she´s told by her foes.
A historical romance, smutty fluff and twists.
3,5 Stars because sometimes you just want the heroine to trust her hero, ie not believe the first ugly thing she´s told by her foes.
May 10, 2013
About a 4 almost 4.5 stars book. I do enjoy a good regency novel now and again, and this one delivered. Two intertwined romances within one story was a bonus and did little to prolong the story, it was the perfect pace. Usually these books are very similar, wallflower women and rogues/rakes that fall in love. However Grace was a fantastic, witty character that always stood toe to toe with Jackson. Now I'm off to check more from this author.
March 3, 2013
You can never be disappointed with Cheryl Holt romances. If you have ever read hstorical romances she is by far one of the best. The men are always awesome and so are the women. They are always hot books. I think i have read everything she has written and i was not disappointed with this one.
August 1, 2016
Holt has written 2 books with quite similar plots and characters. This is one of them, and it's funnier by far. The caveats? The heroine is - one hesitates to say - a loser, and the hero a bounder. Other than that, it's a good read.
December 5, 2012
3.5 stars.
December 12, 2012
Couldn't put down. I do wish she had epilogue to let us have a peak after the marriage.
December 28, 2012
Absolutely loved it! It definitely needed an epilogue, though! The ending should have had a more definite conclusion.
January 8, 2013
I've always been a fan of Cheryl Holt and her new book, "Sweet Surrender," is yet another of her entertaining historical romances.
March 19, 2013
3.5. I enjoyed the witty exchanges between the characters and their personalities. But I found the end too hasty and hardly believable.
February 17, 2013
Liked the period in which it was wrote
March 2, 2013
Punctuation errors were distracting.
May 1, 2013
This book was a good quick read with a lot of bantering back and forth.
July 9, 2013
I ENJOYED THE TENSE SITUATIONS BETWEEN THE TITLE CHARACTERS IT GAVE THE BOOK ITS STEAM, THE ONLY ISSUE I HAD WAS THE LACK OF EPILOGUE. I WANT MORE!
October 4, 2015
Uma leitura agradável, mas nada de particularmente interessante.
May 12, 2015
Such interesting, fun, full of banter of book.
May 20, 2016
I love Cheryl
This was a great lay-in-bed and read all night book. I wish it did not end. What happened about...Sweet Dreams.
This was a great lay-in-bed and read all night book. I wish it did not end. What happened about...Sweet Dreams.
August 22, 2016
Rated 3.5
October 30, 2016
I had high hopes, but was a bit disappointed. The main characters and their relationship are barely fleshed out, while we get the annoying and quite unnecessary Eleanor storyline.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews