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Lakota Surrender
Tahiska, a Lakota warrior, arrives at a Kansas cavalry outpost to avenge his father's murder, but when he finds the beautiful Kristina Bogard there, his rage is replaced by desire.
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
177 people are currently reading
629 people want to read
About the author
Karen Kay
58 books975 followersBestselling author of American Historical Romance, KAREN KAY is a multi-published author of Native American Historical Romance. She has been praised by reviewers and fans alike for bringing insights into the everyday life of the American Indian culture of the past.
Although there are other authors who write under the pen name of Karen Kay, this author's books concern only Historical Native American Romance.
As Reviewer, Suzanne Tucker, once wrote, “Ms. Kay never fails to capture the pride, the passion and the spirit of the American Indian…"
KAREN KAY's great grandmother was Choctaw, and she is adopted Blackfeet. Ms. Kay is honored to be able to write about the rich culture of a people who gave this country so much.
“With the power of romance, I hope to bring about an awareness of the American Indian’s concept of honor, and what it meant to live as free men and free women. There are some things that should never be forgotten.”
Find Karen Kay online at www.novels-by-karenkay.com.
Although there are other authors who write under the pen name of Karen Kay, this author's books concern only Historical Native American Romance.
As Reviewer, Suzanne Tucker, once wrote, “Ms. Kay never fails to capture the pride, the passion and the spirit of the American Indian…"
KAREN KAY's great grandmother was Choctaw, and she is adopted Blackfeet. Ms. Kay is honored to be able to write about the rich culture of a people who gave this country so much.
“With the power of romance, I hope to bring about an awareness of the American Indian’s concept of honor, and what it meant to live as free men and free women. There are some things that should never be forgotten.”
Find Karen Kay online at www.novels-by-karenkay.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
February 7, 2011
Lakota Surrender was my attempt at trying Karen Kay once more to see if I had been missing something. The answer: no.
This book was boring because there was no real conflict. The lead couple see each other and are instantly in LOVE, despite the fact they don't know each other. The thing that annoyed me about this story is the way it's written as almost an overview rather than from the mind of each character. I didn't really feel connected to either of the leads. I was also put off from the way the author referred to the hero as Indian, he supposedly even thought of himself as Indian. From what I have read, Native Americans thought of themselves by their tribe names certainly not as an Indian.
The story kept emphasising how in LOVE the couple was, not really showing them fall in love. The story wasn't realistic and didn't give enough detail to give a real feel for the location and time period. I didn't buy the romance and was annoyed at the heroine's actions. The hero wasn't bad but I was annoyed that most of the story was at a fort so we never really got to see how he really lived. The way the hero was described felt realistic but the instant eternal love with barely any interaction with the white heroine just didn't make sense to me.
So my end opinion: I am not missing anything by not reading Karen Kay, her stories are not realistic or interesting enough for me. The writing wasn't totally bad, it just is not my type of story.
This book was boring because there was no real conflict. The lead couple see each other and are instantly in LOVE, despite the fact they don't know each other. The thing that annoyed me about this story is the way it's written as almost an overview rather than from the mind of each character. I didn't really feel connected to either of the leads. I was also put off from the way the author referred to the hero as Indian, he supposedly even thought of himself as Indian. From what I have read, Native Americans thought of themselves by their tribe names certainly not as an Indian.
The story kept emphasising how in LOVE the couple was, not really showing them fall in love. The story wasn't realistic and didn't give enough detail to give a real feel for the location and time period. I didn't buy the romance and was annoyed at the heroine's actions. The hero wasn't bad but I was annoyed that most of the story was at a fort so we never really got to see how he really lived. The way the hero was described felt realistic but the instant eternal love with barely any interaction with the white heroine just didn't make sense to me.
So my end opinion: I am not missing anything by not reading Karen Kay, her stories are not realistic or interesting enough for me. The writing wasn't totally bad, it just is not my type of story.
Did Not Finish
November 22, 2013DNF @ 50%
The story begins in 1833, set in Kansas (Fort Laramie, I think it is, but too lazy to go back and look). Kristina's father is a cavalry officer and he brings his wife and daughter to live with him at the fort. Lakota warrior Tahiska & company are on the trail of two men who shot his father, and they think they'll find the two at the fort. Apparently there's no one at the fort at the moment who can speak sign language except for Kristina, who had an Indian nanny when she was a young girl who taught her how (!!!).
Any who, Kristina meets Tahiska and it's insta-lust on both sides, but the problem is that Kristina just wants an affair, but Tahiska wants the real deal marriage and a warm teepee with his twu wuv. Boy, he's gonna be surprised.
Now I have to admit that this is probably my first foray into the Native American genre, so perhaps it's just not to my tastes. I don't have another to compare to. From reading the author's bio and stuff, she does seem very familiar with the Native Americans and their tribes, customs, etc. and I did appreciate what she was able to bring through in the story. Although...it did come across in this book as much too heavy handed. Page after page after page of mentally examining every nuance of every word and emotion. The only author I can think to compare it to is Roberta Gellis on an off day when she's way too explainatory and goes on and on and on.
Second problem and that's a biggie is the heroine. Even if I was able to suspend belief that 1) her bigoted mother allowed her to have an Indian nanny, 2) that a young girl can ride out in Indian country unescorted at all hours of the day, and 3) a well-bred young woman would so easily contemplate having an affair (her word) with any male, let alone one that would have such dire social consequences). I won't even start on Tahiska getting into the fort at night when the entrances are closed and guarded and getting into her room, taking off all her clothes and giving her a rise with a good amount of hand-pleasuring.
Sorry, but Kristina had to be one of the most self-centered, unsympathetic heroines ever. Life's too short, I'm moving on.
The story begins in 1833, set in Kansas (Fort Laramie, I think it is, but too lazy to go back and look). Kristina's father is a cavalry officer and he brings his wife and daughter to live with him at the fort. Lakota warrior Tahiska & company are on the trail of two men who shot his father, and they think they'll find the two at the fort. Apparently there's no one at the fort at the moment who can speak sign language except for Kristina, who had an Indian nanny when she was a young girl who taught her how (!!!).
Any who, Kristina meets Tahiska and it's insta-lust on both sides, but the problem is that Kristina just wants an affair, but Tahiska wants the real deal marriage and a warm teepee with his twu wuv. Boy, he's gonna be surprised.
Now I have to admit that this is probably my first foray into the Native American genre, so perhaps it's just not to my tastes. I don't have another to compare to. From reading the author's bio and stuff, she does seem very familiar with the Native Americans and their tribes, customs, etc. and I did appreciate what she was able to bring through in the story. Although...it did come across in this book as much too heavy handed. Page after page after page of mentally examining every nuance of every word and emotion. The only author I can think to compare it to is Roberta Gellis on an off day when she's way too explainatory and goes on and on and on.
Second problem and that's a biggie is the heroine. Even if I was able to suspend belief that 1) her bigoted mother allowed her to have an Indian nanny, 2) that a young girl can ride out in Indian country unescorted at all hours of the day, and 3) a well-bred young woman would so easily contemplate having an affair (her word) with any male, let alone one that would have such dire social consequences). I won't even start on Tahiska getting into the fort at night when the entrances are closed and guarded and getting into her room, taking off all her clothes and giving her a rise with a good amount of hand-pleasuring.
Sorry, but Kristina had to be one of the most self-centered, unsympathetic heroines ever. Life's too short, I'm moving on.
October 26, 2016
Wow, I haven't read a book like this since I was an impressionable teenager. I enjoyed the Native American cultural aspect. However, I wonder if any of it is accurate. I recommend two accessories for a book like this; a glass of ice water to cool off after reading the naughty bits and a bucket to vomit in after reading the rest of it.
If only sex was as perfect and "float away to the heavens" each and every time. If a man like that truly existed, we women would get absolutely nothing accomplished but climaxing. Would it all be worth it? Hmmm, something to ponder.
This truly is Grandma's naughty book.
If only sex was as perfect and "float away to the heavens" each and every time. If a man like that truly existed, we women would get absolutely nothing accomplished but climaxing. Would it all be worth it? Hmmm, something to ponder.
This truly is Grandma's naughty book.
January 27, 2025
Rating: 2.3 / 5
The story starts off fine, but then just gets stupid.
To keep things direct, basically Kristina has way too much of a back-and-forth on the whole commitment thing. This is usually the reason that I'm turned off a Karen Kay book, but...well, it's true. Whether the characters--usually the heroine--are able to commit to a relationship usually ends up being the main conflict in some of her books, and that's just complete BULLSHIT.
A 19th-century woman would NOT turn down marriage after she's been "ruined". No way. Even if it's someone from a totally different culture, it's more dishonorable in the eyes of everyone to be considered a "loose woman" rather than be bound in marriage, so it's ridiculous for Karen Kay to have ANY of her heroines reject this.
The fact that Kristina keeps on going back-and-forth between this just got too annoying, and so I've DNFed this and concluded that yeah, as long as writers can keep writing stupid characters like this, I can keep DNFing their books, no problem.
Give me quality, and I'll give you my time. END.
The story starts off fine, but then just gets stupid.
To keep things direct, basically Kristina has way too much of a back-and-forth on the whole commitment thing. This is usually the reason that I'm turned off a Karen Kay book, but...well, it's true. Whether the characters--usually the heroine--are able to commit to a relationship usually ends up being the main conflict in some of her books, and that's just complete BULLSHIT.
A 19th-century woman would NOT turn down marriage after she's been "ruined". No way. Even if it's someone from a totally different culture, it's more dishonorable in the eyes of everyone to be considered a "loose woman" rather than be bound in marriage, so it's ridiculous for Karen Kay to have ANY of her heroines reject this.
The fact that Kristina keeps on going back-and-forth between this just got too annoying, and so I've DNFed this and concluded that yeah, as long as writers can keep writing stupid characters like this, I can keep DNFing their books, no problem.
Give me quality, and I'll give you my time. END.
July 19, 2013
Se acabó.
Me rindo.
Tenía muchas ganas de leer esta novela y realmente iba predispuesta a que me gustara, pero ha sido imposible. No pasa nada terrible que lo haga insoportable, pero ha sido como una gota que acaba erosionado una piedra, en este caso mi paciencia, por eso he aguantado tanto antes de desistir, pero su historia de amor se me hacía absurda por poco creible, y pesada por repetir, una y otra vez, lo honorables e incomprendidos que son los indios, cuando luego ellos cometen los mismos errores que la protagonista, pero en su caso se pasa por alto... Demuéstrame lo honorables que son, escribe eso que les hace especiales, no me lo digas una y otra vez para que me lo crea a base de repetirlo y lo demuestres por comparación, haciendo que todo inglés (salvo la prota, su padre y algo menos una amiga) sea como una caricatura grotesca de lo peor de un ser humano.
Esperaba un libro que exaltara los valores de un pueblo que casi desapareció y mostrara una historia de amor que sirviera de unión entre los dos mundos, y me encontré con un panfleto "Indios buenos, blancos malos".
Me rindo.
Tenía muchas ganas de leer esta novela y realmente iba predispuesta a que me gustara, pero ha sido imposible. No pasa nada terrible que lo haga insoportable, pero ha sido como una gota que acaba erosionado una piedra, en este caso mi paciencia, por eso he aguantado tanto antes de desistir, pero su historia de amor se me hacía absurda por poco creible, y pesada por repetir, una y otra vez, lo honorables e incomprendidos que son los indios, cuando luego ellos cometen los mismos errores que la protagonista, pero en su caso se pasa por alto... Demuéstrame lo honorables que son, escribe eso que les hace especiales, no me lo digas una y otra vez para que me lo crea a base de repetirlo y lo demuestres por comparación, haciendo que todo inglés (salvo la prota, su padre y algo menos una amiga) sea como una caricatura grotesca de lo peor de un ser humano.
Esperaba un libro que exaltara los valores de un pueblo que casi desapareció y mostrara una historia de amor que sirviera de unión entre los dos mundos, y me encontré con un panfleto "Indios buenos, blancos malos".
December 30, 2013
Painful to read in my opinion. This book has false stereotypical scenarios. I am Lakota, and I speak the language that the author was trying to convey in this book. Sugar coated scenarios.
March 4, 2013
I wanted to scream at the author to MOVE the story along!! By page 150 I figured the plot wasn't moving out of the fort!
The best part about Indian/White romance is the tension between the races and the problem with acceptance. Usually it is the woman who must go be with the Indians, in this story the girl lives in the fort and the young, teenage Indians who are there to avenge a murder are forced to cousil with a white woman. (A slap in the face to the Lakota)
I did enjoy the authors knowledge of Indian culture and beliefs. I wanted them to fall in love and go off to the indian camp, to see how both interact, but alas we are not given that view and inticipation the book becomes long and borish.
Yes, there are several adventures and plently of belivable romance but it is more of a Junior/Teen read. Not for adults who want Historical Fiction with a bite.
The best part about Indian/White romance is the tension between the races and the problem with acceptance. Usually it is the woman who must go be with the Indians, in this story the girl lives in the fort and the young, teenage Indians who are there to avenge a murder are forced to cousil with a white woman. (A slap in the face to the Lakota)
I did enjoy the authors knowledge of Indian culture and beliefs. I wanted them to fall in love and go off to the indian camp, to see how both interact, but alas we are not given that view and inticipation the book becomes long and borish.
Yes, there are several adventures and plently of belivable romance but it is more of a Junior/Teen read. Not for adults who want Historical Fiction with a bite.
January 15, 2017
I only made it to 41%. It's really boring. If it weren't for the very mild sex scenes this book could easily pass as Teen/YA romance.
Even though I didn't finish it, I still gave it 2 stars because I didn't exactly hate it, there just wasn't enough in it for me to be interested. The book is still well written though. So I think that counts for something, lol.
Even though I didn't finish it, I still gave it 2 stars because I didn't exactly hate it, there just wasn't enough in it for me to be interested. The book is still well written though. So I think that counts for something, lol.
December 30, 2010
I loved this book. I ended up finishing it in two days. Normally it bugs me when the main characters fall in love right away, but i still really like this book. it was so romantic and sweet.
August 31, 2012
I love Indian romances and this one was not bad, just a little overly mushy.
September 10, 2013
It was a good book. I like reading about Native Americans and how the pioneer's got along with them. The book is sort of long but it is a good read especially when you are relaxing.
Did Not Finish
March 20, 201610% not for me
April 12, 2018
Terrible dialogue. Hokey storyline. Yes, I used the word hokey. Stereotypical one dimensional characters. In the words of Tahiska: this was bad medicine.
January 27, 2021
No just no! Called it quits at 32%. I want my 4 bucks back!
October 12, 2012
When Tahiska of the Lakota Indian Tribe father is returned home dead along with one of his father's friend from a hunting party, Tahiska along with his companions Wahtapah of his own tribe and his cousin Neeheeowee from the Cheyenne tribe set on a journey for revenge. After learning the descriptions of the two men responsible for killing his father from the other two in the hunting party they set out to the closet fort to find them. There he meets Kristina and after he meets her and gets to know her, he discovers after thinking things through that he must claim her for is own...
Kristina never had any animosity towards Indians and it had everything to do with the relationship she had with her Indian nanny, Many Moons, who was a mother, a friend, and who she loved as a sister. During the time Many Moons was her Nanny she taught Kristina many things of her Indian heritage and sign language. Before Many Moons was dismissed as her nanny she shared a vision she had about Kristina. She told Kristina in her vision, "She was Indian. You were still you, but you were no longer living in the White Man's world nor were you living in my world or anything resembling our village. I believe you were living somewhere out west among the free tribes that still live there and roam as their ancestors did long ago. And Kristina there was much happiness for you there..."
Kristina never told anyone, but she had her own vision as well. "In her vision she saw buckskin and leather, skin-covered lodges, and a man with flashing black eyes that looked straight through her..." When Kristina met Tahiska for the first time she thought he looked familiar to her and after talking to him and becoming his interpreter under the most unusual circumstances she discovers he was the one from her vision...
This is the first book I read by Karen Kay and I really enjoyed it. Tahiska and Kristina seemed to fall in love at first sight, though they both weren't sure what they felt for each other at first. They were able to get to know each other when Kristina became Tahiska's interpreter and after coming to terms of his feelings for Kristina wanted her to be his wife. When Kristina find out Tahiska had married them through the way of his people and it was hard for Kristina to come to terms with it, do to it not following her customs, but after figuring out her feeling for him comes to accept their marriage.
I liked how the author had them figure out how to work out their differences from belonging to two different cultures and how they were able to overcome the boundaries that kept coming up. I liked how the author integrated how they Indians were treated back then, but not a lot where I can't wait to finish it or want to stop reading it because it was too much.
All in all it was a good book to read and one I will read again in the future. I plan to read author titles by the author, especially the story for Neeheeowee and Kristina's best friend Julia, which was introduced in Tahiska and Kristina's story.
Kristina never had any animosity towards Indians and it had everything to do with the relationship she had with her Indian nanny, Many Moons, who was a mother, a friend, and who she loved as a sister. During the time Many Moons was her Nanny she taught Kristina many things of her Indian heritage and sign language. Before Many Moons was dismissed as her nanny she shared a vision she had about Kristina. She told Kristina in her vision, "She was Indian. You were still you, but you were no longer living in the White Man's world nor were you living in my world or anything resembling our village. I believe you were living somewhere out west among the free tribes that still live there and roam as their ancestors did long ago. And Kristina there was much happiness for you there..."
Kristina never told anyone, but she had her own vision as well. "In her vision she saw buckskin and leather, skin-covered lodges, and a man with flashing black eyes that looked straight through her..." When Kristina met Tahiska for the first time she thought he looked familiar to her and after talking to him and becoming his interpreter under the most unusual circumstances she discovers he was the one from her vision...
This is the first book I read by Karen Kay and I really enjoyed it. Tahiska and Kristina seemed to fall in love at first sight, though they both weren't sure what they felt for each other at first. They were able to get to know each other when Kristina became Tahiska's interpreter and after coming to terms of his feelings for Kristina wanted her to be his wife. When Kristina find out Tahiska had married them through the way of his people and it was hard for Kristina to come to terms with it, do to it not following her customs, but after figuring out her feeling for him comes to accept their marriage.
I liked how the author had them figure out how to work out their differences from belonging to two different cultures and how they were able to overcome the boundaries that kept coming up. I liked how the author integrated how they Indians were treated back then, but not a lot where I can't wait to finish it or want to stop reading it because it was too much.
All in all it was a good book to read and one I will read again in the future. I plan to read author titles by the author, especially the story for Neeheeowee and Kristina's best friend Julia, which was introduced in Tahiska and Kristina's story.
December 7, 2018
Karen Kay is a new author to me. I love a good Native American story. This was rich in Native American history, which is a plus, but the romance suffered for it. It was Insta-Love, based on looks alone. *SIGH* I got to the point where I would skim the book because I was bored with it. This is NOT the best Native American romance book out there. As I said, research was done for the history, but the romance is lacking.
Kristina lives at a Fort in the plains with her socialite mother and her father who is in the army. It is at the for that she meets Tahiska. She is to translate for him. Her nanny taught her many ways of the Native American. It is there that she falls in love with Tahiska. They manage to see each other all the time and even sneak away from the fort to rendezvous.
Tahiska offers Kristina's dad pelts for his daughter and then takes her away for a binding ceremony that she doesn't understand. In all the times that he is with her, she never gets pregnant - ok. When he goes on a hunt, leaving her behind to finish his revenge on the white guys who killed his dad, she is angry with him and he with her. But in the end, they kiss and makeup. She goes with him to her village and all is right with the world.
The mom is racist. She left her daughter be raised by a Native American Nanny, but now has a problem with Tahiska. That makes no sense. And why would she have a Native American Nanny? There were more questions with this book, than answers.
Kristina lives at a Fort in the plains with her socialite mother and her father who is in the army. It is at the for that she meets Tahiska. She is to translate for him. Her nanny taught her many ways of the Native American. It is there that she falls in love with Tahiska. They manage to see each other all the time and even sneak away from the fort to rendezvous.
Tahiska offers Kristina's dad pelts for his daughter and then takes her away for a binding ceremony that she doesn't understand. In all the times that he is with her, she never gets pregnant - ok. When he goes on a hunt, leaving her behind to finish his revenge on the white guys who killed his dad, she is angry with him and he with her. But in the end, they kiss and makeup. She goes with him to her village and all is right with the world.
The mom is racist. She left her daughter be raised by a Native American Nanny, but now has a problem with Tahiska. That makes no sense. And why would she have a Native American Nanny? There were more questions with this book, than answers.
October 9, 2012
Truly touched by the love of an Indian and his wife.
The honor that the young Indian showed to the young woman in this story was heart warming and deeply touched. The lengths he would go to show his love and preparing her for a life with him really stood out the most. Understanding her even if their cultures was different.
The strong characters of the Indian brave and his companions against the back drop of prairie life and seeking revenge for the murder of his father kept me glued to the book.
A father who had to admit the truth.
A young willful woman who defies her upbringing and culture to be with her heart made this a wonderful romance.
A book I enjoyed extremely.
The honor that the young Indian showed to the young woman in this story was heart warming and deeply touched. The lengths he would go to show his love and preparing her for a life with him really stood out the most. Understanding her even if their cultures was different.
The strong characters of the Indian brave and his companions against the back drop of prairie life and seeking revenge for the murder of his father kept me glued to the book.
A father who had to admit the truth.
A young willful woman who defies her upbringing and culture to be with her heart made this a wonderful romance.
A book I enjoyed extremely.
May 22, 2016
Prior to this booklet went faster and others that crawled by. There are times during the novel I wanted to scream "good heavens make a decision already you people are crazy". But I like the characters a lot. And I also found it admirable that the author, rather than presenting us with characters that accepted the Indians without a struggle she presented the more realistic situation of people that needed to make choices. The insight into some of the Lakota culture was very interesting. Much of it I knew but much of it I did not. In any case I hope to read more of these books.
March 9, 2022
Lakota Surrender is a story about love between a Lakota Sioux brave and a white girl in 1833. Despite the hostilities of the times, they found happiness together after a stormy courtship due to learning how to bridge their cultural differences and find peace and contentment together. I enjoyed reading all the Native American customs.
August 25, 2015
This book was as silly as the cover. Kristina, the heroine of the story, was an idiot. I know this book takes place in the 1800, and the use of the word "Indian" was a reflection of those times. However I do find it odd that the hero, a Lakota brave, would consistently refer to himself and his people as "Indian" rather than by his tribe name. Weird.
August 23, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. This was the first book from Karen Kay that I have read and I'm hooked. I loved the story and how their relationship developed over time.
I will defiantly read more of her books.
I will defiantly read more of her books.
November 5, 2012
I love all of Karen Kay's books once I read 1, I went out to buy them all. I have them on my nightstand cant be with out one in my hand love that she puts in the meaning of the langue in back of the books
October 2, 2017
I enjoyed this book. It didn't capture my attention and pull me in to read it in one sitting but it kept me coming back until the end. It was perfect to fit into the cracks of my busy life. I enjoyed the story.
August 26, 2012
Dragged a bit in the middle but I still loved the story. Free on amazon!
Want to Read
August 28, 2012Free today. Previously published in 1994.
September 16, 2012
This book was a very good book I highly recommend it!
September 10, 2012
This is a great love story it has been along time that I've read a book that was this good
October 13, 2012
Indians....loyal, honest, intense.
January 3, 2013
This was a very good book but I must say that I would have enjoyed it much when I was 16. I kept waiting for Tahiska to sparkle.
April 4, 2013
I gave 4 stars to this book. I loved their story... there were times I was frustrated with Kristen, but overall I loved it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews