Surrender a Dream

Devils and Dames #4

by Jill Barnett

A marriage of convenience...A clash of wills...An uncompromising love!

Adelaide Amanda Pinkney was glad to bid Chicago farewell. After the bustle and crowds of the growing city, the news that her aunt and uncle had left her their California farm was like a dream come true.

But Addie's idyll was shattered the moment she reached California, and learned there was another claim on her land. Montana Creed was tall, headstrong elemental...as much a part of the rich and rugged California terrain, as the fields and valleys that dotted its majestic landscape. As a boy, Montana had watched his father slaughtered, his land stolen -- and he had vowed that, one day be would fulfill his father's dream.

Addie soon discovered that Montana's stubborn streak ran as deep as her own...and that his seductive smile was almost impossible to resist. As his reluctant bride, she came to cherish Montana's tender, passionate caresses. But she knew that one day he'd have to face the demons of his past -- or lose the bright and loving promise of their future!

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Westerns, Marriage Of Convenience, Historical Fiction, Western Romance

386 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 1991

About the author

New York Times Bestselling Author Jill Barnett is master storyteller known for her beautifully-written love stories rich with humor, emotion, and poignancy. She is the winner of Lifetime Achievement Awards for Love and Laughter and Historical Romance and is a six-time Romance Writers of America RITA nominee and winner of both a Persie Award for Literature and a Waldenbooks Award. Her books have been named Best of the Year by Dallas Morning News, Detroit Free Press, and Kirkus Review and she was the first historical romance author to ever receive a starred review from Publishers Weekly. She stands alongside Judith McNaught as one of only two authors to ever receive a six-star review from Affaire de Coeur Magazine and her work has been published in 23 languages and appeared on numerous bestseller lists. She lives in the PNW with her family.

Reviews

[Katrina Passick Lumsden · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I read the synopsis, I immediately picked up on the marriage of convenience angle and had to give this one a try. What I didn't know (and couldn't know from the synopsis) was that the marriage doesn't take place until well past the halfway mark. For roughly 75% of the book, it's just the two protagonists acting like spoiled, petty children. It's irritating and a chore to read. Not my idea of a good time.

[Preeti ♥︎ Her Bookshelves · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book that went from laugh out loud funny (even slapstick) to mundane to unhappy, almost heart-rending before the hea. The h/H start out as bitter antagonists fighting over claim to a farm, and end up in a moc to sort out the very muddled legalities. The bit before the end is heartrending and the H wallows in pity a bit too long!

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

20.05.2016 Reread:

I have no words for how this book makes me feel. I am glad I have read this book many years ago. If I was reading it for the first time now, I would find the beginning hard to get into. But this was one of the 2 Jill Barnett books I loved to pieces when I was a young girl. Today, I still find it a heartbreakingly beautiful story.

The firs 30% could be difficult because Montana and Addie were at odds with each other. But once Montana and Addie got together, this book is on a different level. Montana was so vividly portrayed. Reading about his injury and struggle always made me cry. Today it was no different. In a fiction Montana recovered from his injury and we have our happily ever after. This story is about love and hope, however desperate you may feel, believe in love and hope. This book reminds me of something good to believe in, that there is something in life, that's worth fighting for. Bravo, Ms. Jill Barnett.


First review on Goodreads:

I read book at least 20 years ago, having lost all my books when I moved out of the country. I remembered not the book's name, not the author's name. I remembered not the girl's name or the guy's name. But I had a vivid recollection of the story, and the heartaches I felt when I was reading this book.

So when I got my kindle, I went on a mission: I wanted to have this book on my kindle. I was so determined. I went on my search with a story, without keywords, only the memories of a story that broke and then mended my heart.

This is how great this story is.

A girl trying to survive in a farm, with little knowledge in how to run a farm. A guy who wants her land and plans to take it from her by force. I was never much for an Americana story. But I love this book to my bones. A heartbreaking story, of two people who found a safe haven in each other, after much ordeal.

Please read it. It melts your heart but toughens your spirits. The best of any book can offers us.

[HR-ML · Rating 2 out of 5]

Northern California, mostly 1894 onward.
Montana was 6'4" & Addie 5 foot even. I felt the hero too
heavy-handed & he used his height & other means to in-
timidate the heroine. He got on my 'last nerve.'

Montana & Will, in their teens, saw their fathers killed by a
'hired gun' for the railroad. In 1894, 14 yrs on, Montana
traveled to claim a farm property deeded to him by an old
family friend.

Turned out, Montana & Addie (a Chicago librarian) b/c
of a legal technicality, both claimed this land, last owned
by her late aunt & uncle. A Judge decided the H owned
the land & she: properties on the land. Before the Judge's
decision, she moved into the farmhouse & he pitched a
tent. He used several means to intimidate her to leave,
including seduction attempts. He sent out anti-hero vibes.
Did he seek revenge on the RR b/c of his dad?

Montana was manipulative & obnoxious till around the
70% mark. She called him a bully. Why did Addie love him?
Could he control his temper? Frankly I expected more
romance (not sex) & wit in this author's books and less
drama. This had heated, hurtful verbal exchanges between
the MCs, sans bantering. She deserved respect from him.
Addie needed to take a train, anywhere, to get away from
this guy.

[Katherine (GoldMidnight) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't your regular run-of-the-mill romance. Its a story of determination, grit and courage more than it is a romance. Now, I don't really know much about farming and communities that depend on farming - I'm a Chicago girl through and through - but I could almost feel like I'm in 1890s California when I read this book.
The story begins in 1880, with a clear description of the atrocities of the railroad company and how deeply it affected our hero, Montana. His dream is to farm his own stretch of land. Our heroine, Addie is an almost prudish woman setting off to California to forget her own tortured past and start her life over.
Unfortunately, the land that Montana owns the legal deed to is the same land Addie thinks she owns. This leads to a lengthy petty bickering betwixt the two lead characters, almost upto 30% of the book. But, trust me what follows, is a story about how a woman, a librarian at that, learns to thrive in California. How she, through sheer determination to startover, becomes a total farm girl from a city girl educated in Columbia. A tale about how Montana with the help of his darling little wife, braves the evil and grasping railroad company to become a successful farmer - conquering enormous odds. How, a people who suffered so much at the hands of a scheming company who wouldn't give them fair rates and kills to keep their monopoly revolt and get their fair due. The romance takes second stage in this book, but for the first time, I have no complaints.
I've read reviews here that said they didn't feel like the hero loved the heroine at all - I think they didn't finish the book. The hero beats crazy odds and conquers himself for the tiny heroine. Their love stands some of the toughest tests in Romancelandia.
It isn't a short book, almost 400 pages long - the author can get quite verbose. But, this is one of the most feel-good books I've read in a while.

[Monique Takens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dit verhaal had zonder meer 5 sterren van mij gekregen als de "held" Montana niet zo ver was gegaan in het proberen om Addie weg te pesten ( bijna verkrachting gaat mij te ver ! )
Gelukkig zag hij op een gegeven moment wel in dat zij eigenlijk de sterkste en moedigste van hun beide was .

[Sammy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Goodreads recommended book but definitely not appropriate for me. I enjoy a romance where the love between the hero and heroine is equal or where the hero loves the heroine a tad more. This was the complete opposite. I did not believe for a second that the hero loved the heroine and his actions angered me to such an extent that if I were the heroine I would have had to walk away or jump him...in a bad way.

[Raw Fresh Garlic · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice one, Jill

pretty decent, only mildly r*pey, only got icked a few times. What else can ya ask for? if im being honest, i got this book for free from a little library. My gut was screaming at me to look within those miney walls, and it paid off. Handsomly.

Enterntaining in a (sorry) slightly predictable but comforting way.

extra smut sprinkled in would have bumped er up a few stars but hey thats just me

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Western Historical

This is a wonderful historical set in early California and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. It started a little slow in terms of the romance between the characters but it did there soon enough. I loved the HEA at the end. I am pretty sure that you will enjoy this book.

[Bunga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Berawal dari kocak dan gokil, endingnya bittersweet mengharukan. Buku pertama yang saya baca dari Jill Barnett dan saya langsung suka dengan ide-idenya yang unik di setiap bukunya.

Miss Adelaide Pinkney, gadis yatim-piatu dari Chicago yang dapat warisan rumah peternakan milik paman dan bibinya, harus susah payah rebutan dengan Montana Creed yang juga punya klaim atas tanah yang ditempati peternakan tsb. Guess what? Hakim malah memutuskan kalau bangunannya milik Addie dan tanahnya milik Montana. Kocaknya, meski Addie bisa menerima ini, Montana tidak bisa dan menghalalkan segala cara untuk mengusir Addie dari tanah miliknya. Membaca interaksi love-hate di antara Addie dan Montana, karena konyol juga cara mereka untuk mengusir lawan masing-masing dari property yang dianggap milik mereka. Sampai akhirnya malah mereka jatuh cinta dan memutuskan untuk menikah--Montana beralasan kalau menikah bakal lebih memudahkan mereka berdua mengelola peternakan & ladang gandumnya, sementara Addie memang cinta ama Montana. Tapi apa masalah selesai sampai di sini? Tidak juga. Karena ada perampokan, perusahaan rel kereta api, dan banyak lagi yang membuat situasi semakin rumit, dan menguji pernikahan mereka.

[Danette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of the funniest scenes I've ever read in a romance book. Witty. Sexy. HOT. Starts off serious, but soon has you laughing so hard you need dry your eyes. You don't know what is going to happen next!! This a "glued to the pages" book. The type of story that you'll always remember and the book will be on your keeper shelf....no doubt. Highly recommend.

[Julia Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first opinion of Addie was that she seemed to be a very meek character, but boy was I wrong. She is one of the strongest and hilarious female character I have every met. She and Montana, have an amazing dynamic that keeps the reader laughing and crying along with the characters. This was my first book by Jill Barnett and I LOVED IT. Can't wait to try her other books.

[Susan J · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book

This book was a little different than what I usually read. Said and Montana had a battle of weird loved who was going to keep the land and buildings awarded to them both by a judge. I laughed at times over some of their banter back and forth. Within this book there was a gambit of emotions -- happiness, anger, sadness, defeat, and the elation resulting from overcoming adversity.

[sneha]

Every 2 pages, the FMC was described as short, small, or tiny....like okay we get it.....
To make it worse, the MMC kept doing really really messed up things and the FMC kept forgiving him and every encounter between them was just "oh god he's a giant and i'm so small" "oh god she's so tiny, i can never be with a tall woman" Got till the 80% mark and then DNFd it!

This could be made into a fun drinking game actually!

[Lori Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good read

I really loved this story. It does need a better editing but otherwise so well written it's one of those stories that makes you feel. There's action, tragedy, even hilarity. I've read several of Jill Barnett's books and I have to say so far this is my favorite. I hope you enjoy it as well. Happy reading! LoriKatt😸

[Sally Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who really owns the farm

These two are pitted against each other from the start. A librarian and a cowboy who both inherent a farm. The courts decide they both have a valid claim. And so it begins.

[Kathy Brickert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sure to leave you with a smile!

Such a fun book! Lots of angst thrown in, but the HEA will make it at the end! A look at history threw the eyes if the characters. Makes for a great read!

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book! I have forgotten when I laughed out loud reading a book. 5STARS!!!

[Linda Whitebread · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I've read in a long time !

I loved this book !

There was so much going on all the time, you can't put the book down. A story of strength, love, and the will to survive.

[Mum · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was too long. I became bored with the underhanded bickering. The end with the meat of the character portrayal felt both rushed and too little too late.

[Elaina Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

I enjoy they story she weaves. I enjoyed the laughter even though they didn't laugh at themselves. It was hard at first to get into.

[Olanrewaju · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

A very interesting and funny story.
I really enjoyed the characters especially in the first 60% or so of the book. This was when they were pulling pranks on each other. It was very funny. After they eventually got married, the book became a bit more serious and rushed. And I was disappointed with the author for completely forgetting a character that had bee important up till that point. I mean not even a mention in passing.

Adelaide was a very creative character especially with her pranks. And a gutsy one too. She was a perfect Heroine. Not some girl who goes around doing stupid things to prove that she isn't just a woman. She knew her limitations and did her best to surpass them.

Montana, well, he was a typical western romance novel Hero. A perfect specimen physically, Over 6 foot tall and so on. A crack shot, perfect rider and on and on like that.He wasn't too bad a Hero, just not special either. His pranks were less creative.

The plot was interesting and funny. It held a few curve balls. Slight problem with it is how the time progressed. A day can take 2 chapters and then 5 months in one paragraph.
Anyhow, a very good read. Recommended/

[LJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surrender a Dream - VG
Barnett, Jill

Adelaide Amanda Pinkney was glad to bid Chicago farewell. After the bustle and crowds of the growing city, the news that her aunt and uncle had left her their California farm was like a dream come true.

But Addie's idyll was shattered the moment she reached California, and learned there was another claim on her land. Montana Creed was tall, headstrong, elemental ... as much a part of the rich and rugged California terrain as the fields and valleys that dotted its majestic landscape. As a boy, Montana had watched his father slaughtered, his land stolen--and he had vowed that one day he would fulfill his father's dream.

Addie soon discovered that Montana's stubborn streak ran as deep as her own ... and that his seductive smile was almost impossible to resist. As his reluctant bride, she came to cherish Montana's tender, passionate caresses. But she knew that one day he'd have to face the demons of his past--or lose the bright and loving promise of their future!

Very well done.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was expecting a rollicking, laugh filled romp when I opened this book but instead found a delicate balance of humor, powerful emotion, and amazing character growth. SURRENDER A DREAM starts out on a serious note when we meet Montana as a young boy and watch his life fall apart. Then the book turns light-hearted as Montana and Addie take drastic measures to rid themselves of each other. Sometimes their tactics are hilarious and other times I wanted to throttle them. As the story ends it again turns serious as they struggle to overcome the toughest obstacle yet in their relationship. At this point, I began to cry and pretty much finished the book with tear glazed eyes. I was completely won over by the strength of both of these characters. As they were falling in love both acted a bit rashly at times and, like most young lovers, a little immaturely but as the story went on they grew and realistically matured right before my eyes. All in all this was a great love story. It made me feel and care deeply for these people and that's what I look for when I pick up a romance.

[Isabella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compared to other books by the same author I read in the past, this book felt very real and poignant even if the overall scenario is very American, with the struggles of the pioneers settling west, the train companies speculating on the settlers, etc. I was initially afraid this very specific background would take away from relating to the story and the characters, but it didn't. It was nice to see the romance unfold in a realistic setting with characters interacting according to both their human feelings and the challenges they face. I strongly recommend this book.

PS I understand this book is a rewriting of the novel previously published with the title "Surrender a dream", I haven't read the previous edition so I am not sure what was changed in the new version.

[Waranya Tang · Rating 5 out of 5]

ชอบมากอ่ะ ช่วงแรกๆ ตอนพระเอกนางเอกทะเลาะแย่งที่ดินทำฟาร์มกันฮามาก ต่อล้อต่อเถียง แกล้งกันตลกดี ยิ่งนางเอกเป็นสาวเมืองต้องมาเรียนรู้การทำฟาร์ม เปิ่นๆ โก๊ะกัง แต่ก็ขยัน สู้ชีวิต ส่วนพระเอกปากร้าย หยาบกระด้าง แต่ใจดี ใจอ่อนกับน้ำตาผูหญิง ชอบฉากพระเอกสอนนางเอกขี่ม้า ตลกมาก พอรักกันแล้วก็น่ารัก ฉาก xxx ก็ไม่เยอะดี ไม่ฮาร์ดคอร์ ตอนท้ายมีช่วงเศร้าซึ้ง ถึงจะรวบรัดไปเล็กน้อยตอนท้าย แต่รวมๆก็ยังชอบอยู่ดี

[Julie Wheeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun story! The antics between Addie and Montana had me laughing out loud in several places. Who doesn't love a story where love triumphs over all kinds of obstacles? Ms Barnett never fails to give us a good romance!

[Karen Desmond · Rating 4 out of 5]

4

[Theresa Contreras · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good read...

[Mystique · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a hilarious, funny and a moving romance;)
beautiful..one of the best contemporary romances I have read!

Overall, a definite keeper with 5++++ stars!!!