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Imperium (Chronological order) #1
Heart's Surrender
She is Rissa, the proud, beautiful daughter of the Lord Commander of the warrior planet, Bellator.
He is Morigan, leader of the Cat People, celebrated for his extraordinary telepathic powers and legendary lover's skills -- sworn to vengeance against Rissa's invading race.
It is destiny that brings Rissa to the untamed planet Agrica... and into Morigan's savage lair. But it is desire that steals her will, ignites her wildest passions -- and sweeps them both toward a thrilling, irresistible unknown...
He is Morigan, leader of the Cat People, celebrated for his extraordinary telepathic powers and legendary lover's skills -- sworn to vengeance against Rissa's invading race.
It is destiny that brings Rissa to the untamed planet Agrica... and into Morigan's savage lair. But it is desire that steals her will, ignites her wildest passions -- and sweeps them both toward a thrilling, irresistible unknown...
480 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 1994
2 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
About the author
Kathleen Morgan
37 books382 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Kathleen began her career writing contemporary romances and soon moved to historical and futuristic romances. She sold her first book, a futuristic romance, in April 1990 while stationed in Korea as an Army nurse. Additional romances soon followed, until she had sold a total of fifteen books in the general market, establishing a loyal readership along the way.
Since that time, she has received numerous awards for her work, including a Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice award and Career Achievement award, and The Literary Times award for Literary Excellence in the Field of Romantic Fiction. She was also a Romance Writers of America RITA finalist.
Kathleen now focuses her writing talents in the area of inspirational fiction, offering readers characters who struggle to redefine their growing faith in everyday life.
Kathleen began her career writing contemporary romances and soon moved to historical and futuristic romances. She sold her first book, a futuristic romance, in April 1990 while stationed in Korea as an Army nurse. Additional romances soon followed, until she had sold a total of fifteen books in the general market, establishing a loyal readership along the way.
Since that time, she has received numerous awards for her work, including a Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice award and Career Achievement award, and The Literary Times award for Literary Excellence in the Field of Romantic Fiction. She was also a Romance Writers of America RITA finalist.
Kathleen now focuses her writing talents in the area of inspirational fiction, offering readers characters who struggle to redefine their growing faith in everyday life.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 2, 2010
This book was written way back when futuristic romances were the new thing. Yeah, it's dated. Yeah, it features a desperate alpha cat-man hero. Yeah, the heroine is a beautifully tressed virgin who becomes a reluctant captive by the cat-man for the purpose of mating and re-populating his shrinking race. Despite all that I enjoy it even when I knew I shouldn't. The world is nicely built and the characters are interesting, especially those virile cat people.
After working on reading this book for three long weeks I found myself rapidly losing patience with the story as it evolved into a long drawn out mating dance of "I want you but I'm going to be a jerk and refuse you because I know it'll hurt you, your tribe, your standing as leader and your frail old momma too! So take that hunky catman!!"
But since I made it this far, I figured I may as well see the thing through. This book is a bit grueling, definitely not your light and fluffy futuristic of today, and a few unexpected twists have occurred along with a few predictable ones as well which have kept me turning the pages. The character development and interaction is also a big focus and is probably the reason I keep getting sucked back in despite my problems with things jaded old me sees as romance cliches. If I had read this way back when I bought it a decade ago I'd probably be raving about how "wonderfully angsty and tear-jerking" the story is but now I'm older and grumpier and will only say that it's got some very good points that balance out the exhausting ones and it's definitely not boring.
After working on reading this book for three long weeks I found myself rapidly losing patience with the story as it evolved into a long drawn out mating dance of "I want you but I'm going to be a jerk and refuse you because I know it'll hurt you, your tribe, your standing as leader and your frail old momma too! So take that hunky catman!!"
But since I made it this far, I figured I may as well see the thing through. This book is a bit grueling, definitely not your light and fluffy futuristic of today, and a few unexpected twists have occurred along with a few predictable ones as well which have kept me turning the pages. The character development and interaction is also a big focus and is probably the reason I keep getting sucked back in despite my problems with things jaded old me sees as romance cliches. If I had read this way back when I bought it a decade ago I'd probably be raving about how "wonderfully angsty and tear-jerking" the story is but now I'm older and grumpier and will only say that it's got some very good points that balance out the exhausting ones and it's definitely not boring.
August 25, 2018
First of all, whose bright idea was it to put one of those hologram pictures on the cover...you know the kind that gives you the heebie-jeebies if your fingernail runs over it? I had to tear the cover off of it just to read it. Gah! Turns out it wasn't worth my effort.
Morigan is Lord of the Cat People (clever name, huh?) and after the Bellatorians massacred their people, he is at desperate ends to ensure the survival of his people. The only way forward he sees is to abduct Bellatorian women so his men can breed them and his population will grow. So this is what he does. Among the 12 women he takes from the merchant train is Rissa, daughter of the Lord Commander who ordered the massacre of his people, but she manages to keep this a secret. Rissa is beyond stubborn and highly principled. In her view, this abduction is completely unjustified and totally immoral and she will resist being forced to mate with Morigan to her dying breath. But not really. Before long, Morigan is able to win her over and she sees just how desperate his people are. But she’ll not long remain among them when her father discovers her abduction and can offer amnesty as a bargaining chip. By that point, will Morigan fight to keep her or put his people and their well-being first?
Wow. This is a triggery kind of book. And just wow. I can’t believe people find this romantic. The Cat People consider themselves good people. They abduct Bellatorian women and plan to use lust potions so they can forcibly breed them, but this is totally fine, because they treat those women kindly. To them, human trafficking is completely justifiable because women are in fact just objects...vessels which are necessary for the survival of their species. Who the fuck cares whether they have other ideas about what their life should be like? Even after one of them brutally beats and rapes another is she allowed to leave? No, they instantly begin thinking that she’ll need another mate. They claim to include them as one of their own, that being part of their justification, yet they continue to refer to them as “captive” Bellatorians and precious breeding females. Fairly revealing there too.
I find it pretty disturbing that throughout the book, women characters refuse to denounce the decision to abduct women and keep them captive until they choose to mate (or are drugged with a lust enhancer to force the issue). They keep tossing out justifications for abducting these women. They say that the Cat People are kind and gentle and wouldn’t hurt the women, so why shouldn’t the women just meekly accept their fate. And hey, the Cat People are great lovers, so there’s an added benefit to it. I can’t wrap my head around that sentiment, that if an abductor is kind to you then a woman should accept the loss of her freedom and deal with it. As though her will has no bearing in anything. Apparently these people never learned that 2 wrongs do not make a write - attempted genocide does not make human trafficking okay. It further disturbs me that the only person to speak out against the abduction of those women was the VILLAIN. Granted, his reasons had to do with the pride of the people and the shame of bringing these women into their pure bloodlines, but goodness! How is HE the only person who openly opposes it? 12 women abducted without thought to their families, existing husbands and/or children, plans for their future, hopes or dreams so that a species can continue (although diluted) and it’s the villain who says it’s an awful idea. That blew my mind.
It is certainly not a good endorsement of the Cat People that they could just let this happen. Also not so admirable is that they’re all freely willing to use lust inducers to overcome the inhibitions and more importantly the lack of consent of their captive women. Fortunately, the hero doesn’t actually rape the heroine, but he does administer the drug fully intending to take advantage of it. Which says a great deal about him and his moral flexibility. In fact, when he drugs her, he apologizes profusely claiming, “I just didn’t want to have to force you.” What does that say about our hero? That he’d been intent on raping her but would have rather done so with her drugged “consent”? Even after his thwarted rape (damn conscience!), Morigan seems to use it to his advantage claiming that it showed how desperate he must have been and she’d better come willingly pretty damn soon or things could get worse. That’s some remorse for his actions right there.
More than anything, I wanted the hero to acknowledge that his decision to kidnap those women was wrong and completely unjustifiable. The heroine also insists she wants the same thing. Instead...we get a heroine who finally accepts her fate. She of course continues to maintain her objections “on principle, mind you,” but understands that Morigan is only doing what’s best for his people...She even goes a step further than acceptance - she full on blames herself for the consequences of Morigan’s actions. Because SHE refused to submit and allow herself to be raped, the faction that opposes Morigan is able to maniupulate him into a death challenge. And she BLAMES HERSELF. And it’s her actions which give the other Cat People who didn’t want the captive women in their midst, the reason for accepting them and thus the trafficking. And it’s not too long after that Rissa is singing a wildly different tune and absolutely LOVING her captivity, recommending sex with a Cat Man to her recently raped friend.
And OMG after abducting women, forcing them to mate with his people and taking away all of THEIR choices (and not even acknowledging it) he has the gall to say THIS!
“I’m sick to death of never having choices!
This about having to take a mate after his wife had died. Well whose bright idea was it in the first place? I’m pretty fucking sure it was his CHOICE to kidnap those women. His people certainly didn’t seem to be on board with it, even if none of them (villain excepted) spoke up about it. The unmitigated gall for this asshole to complain about lack of choice. I just couldn’t anymore. I threw the damn paperback.
Morigan is Lord of the Cat People (clever name, huh?) and after the Bellatorians massacred their people, he is at desperate ends to ensure the survival of his people. The only way forward he sees is to abduct Bellatorian women so his men can breed them and his population will grow. So this is what he does. Among the 12 women he takes from the merchant train is Rissa, daughter of the Lord Commander who ordered the massacre of his people, but she manages to keep this a secret. Rissa is beyond stubborn and highly principled. In her view, this abduction is completely unjustified and totally immoral and she will resist being forced to mate with Morigan to her dying breath. But not really. Before long, Morigan is able to win her over and she sees just how desperate his people are. But she’ll not long remain among them when her father discovers her abduction and can offer amnesty as a bargaining chip. By that point, will Morigan fight to keep her or put his people and their well-being first?
Wow. This is a triggery kind of book. And just wow. I can’t believe people find this romantic. The Cat People consider themselves good people. They abduct Bellatorian women and plan to use lust potions so they can forcibly breed them, but this is totally fine, because they treat those women kindly. To them, human trafficking is completely justifiable because women are in fact just objects...vessels which are necessary for the survival of their species. Who the fuck cares whether they have other ideas about what their life should be like? Even after one of them brutally beats and rapes another is she allowed to leave? No, they instantly begin thinking that she’ll need another mate. They claim to include them as one of their own, that being part of their justification, yet they continue to refer to them as “captive” Bellatorians and precious breeding females. Fairly revealing there too.
I find it pretty disturbing that throughout the book, women characters refuse to denounce the decision to abduct women and keep them captive until they choose to mate (or are drugged with a lust enhancer to force the issue). They keep tossing out justifications for abducting these women. They say that the Cat People are kind and gentle and wouldn’t hurt the women, so why shouldn’t the women just meekly accept their fate. And hey, the Cat People are great lovers, so there’s an added benefit to it. I can’t wrap my head around that sentiment, that if an abductor is kind to you then a woman should accept the loss of her freedom and deal with it. As though her will has no bearing in anything. Apparently these people never learned that 2 wrongs do not make a write - attempted genocide does not make human trafficking okay. It further disturbs me that the only person to speak out against the abduction of those women was the VILLAIN. Granted, his reasons had to do with the pride of the people and the shame of bringing these women into their pure bloodlines, but goodness! How is HE the only person who openly opposes it? 12 women abducted without thought to their families, existing husbands and/or children, plans for their future, hopes or dreams so that a species can continue (although diluted) and it’s the villain who says it’s an awful idea. That blew my mind.
It is certainly not a good endorsement of the Cat People that they could just let this happen. Also not so admirable is that they’re all freely willing to use lust inducers to overcome the inhibitions and more importantly the lack of consent of their captive women. Fortunately, the hero doesn’t actually rape the heroine, but he does administer the drug fully intending to take advantage of it. Which says a great deal about him and his moral flexibility. In fact, when he drugs her, he apologizes profusely claiming, “I just didn’t want to have to force you.” What does that say about our hero? That he’d been intent on raping her but would have rather done so with her drugged “consent”? Even after his thwarted rape (damn conscience!), Morigan seems to use it to his advantage claiming that it showed how desperate he must have been and she’d better come willingly pretty damn soon or things could get worse. That’s some remorse for his actions right there.
More than anything, I wanted the hero to acknowledge that his decision to kidnap those women was wrong and completely unjustifiable. The heroine also insists she wants the same thing. Instead...we get a heroine who finally accepts her fate. She of course continues to maintain her objections “on principle, mind you,” but understands that Morigan is only doing what’s best for his people...She even goes a step further than acceptance - she full on blames herself for the consequences of Morigan’s actions. Because SHE refused to submit and allow herself to be raped, the faction that opposes Morigan is able to maniupulate him into a death challenge. And she BLAMES HERSELF. And it’s her actions which give the other Cat People who didn’t want the captive women in their midst, the reason for accepting them and thus the trafficking. And it’s not too long after that Rissa is singing a wildly different tune and absolutely LOVING her captivity, recommending sex with a Cat Man to her recently raped friend.
And OMG after abducting women, forcing them to mate with his people and taking away all of THEIR choices (and not even acknowledging it) he has the gall to say THIS!
“I’m sick to death of never having choices!
This about having to take a mate after his wife had died. Well whose bright idea was it in the first place? I’m pretty fucking sure it was his CHOICE to kidnap those women. His people certainly didn’t seem to be on board with it, even if none of them (villain excepted) spoke up about it. The unmitigated gall for this asshole to complain about lack of choice. I just couldn’t anymore. I threw the damn paperback.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 1, 2025
Rissa, the daughter of the Bellator commander, is kidnapped by her peoples biggest enemy the Cat Men. Morigan, their leader, is a proud and insufferable man who’s willfulness and drive to save the future of his people has made him make a choice much disputed by his people. After a massacre of his people by the Bellator military brutally murdered countless women and children of his kind, Morigan knows he needs more babies. So, he comes up with the plan to kidnap and mate with women of his enemy. Rissa, of course, isn’t in agreement with this plan and fights him tooth and nail for her freedom but unfortunately, as time passes amongst the Cat People and with her mate Morigan himself, Rissa begins to realize that they are decent people. And some of the women who traveled with her and who were also kidnapped, have actually fallen in love with their captors. Rissa fights this. Keeping in mind that they don’t know who she is, and if they learn, she will never be accepted. As time passes, the idea of her being shunned by Morigan leaves her with a sense of grief.
But when her father finds out, Rissa knows it will mean the death of Morigan and everyone who she’s come to love.
This was a very old-fashioned book. In that, dramatically not okay subject matters are treated as romantic and whimsical. Rissa is a victim. Morigan is a bad guy. Which, to be fair, isn’t really diminished. Morigan does feel regret over his decision to kidnap and hold Rissa against her will BUT that doesn’t change anything. He needs to give his people children. It’s hard to read this story and posses the thoughtful mind of a woman in the year 2025. This is Stockholm syndrome. Clear cut and dry.
I wasn’t into this book. For a lot of other reasons outside of the general weird vibe with the whole kidnapping thing. I thought the Cat Men to be rather silly because…. Couldn’t you come up with a better name? What do the Cat Men call themselves in their native tongue? CAT MEN. It’s so lazy.
But when her father finds out, Rissa knows it will mean the death of Morigan and everyone who she’s come to love.
This was a very old-fashioned book. In that, dramatically not okay subject matters are treated as romantic and whimsical. Rissa is a victim. Morigan is a bad guy. Which, to be fair, isn’t really diminished. Morigan does feel regret over his decision to kidnap and hold Rissa against her will BUT that doesn’t change anything. He needs to give his people children. It’s hard to read this story and posses the thoughtful mind of a woman in the year 2025. This is Stockholm syndrome. Clear cut and dry.
I wasn’t into this book. For a lot of other reasons outside of the general weird vibe with the whole kidnapping thing. I thought the Cat Men to be rather silly because…. Couldn’t you come up with a better name? What do the Cat Men call themselves in their native tongue? CAT MEN. It’s so lazy.
March 11, 2014
I read this book when I was much younger. My older sister gave the book away and I have been trying to find it since.
October 16, 2021
I read this book the first time way back in 1994 when it was first published. I fell in love with Morigan and never looked back. He is still my favorite hero. No one has ever taken his place.
Morigan & Rissa are wonderful together and even though they made my heart ache and I cried more than once, it's all good. Their story has stayed with me all these years. I cared about the others in the book, most especially Naren *sigh*. I still miss them sometimes, which to me is the sign of a great book.
"Heart's Surrender" was written when futuristic romance was in it's infancy and yet I think it still stands as one of the best. It's one of my very favorite books ever. None of the subsequent books in the Imperium series are true sequels. ("Heart's Surrender" is actually a prequel to "Heart's Lair", which was published first.) Kathleen teased us at the end of "Heart's Surrender"that she would give us future stories of the Cat Men of Agrica but then she never did. I still hope and wait. It took Justine Davis twenty years to finally give us the sequels to "Lord of the Storm" and "The Skypirate" so maybe one day we'll finally get another Cat Man story. I can only hope.
There is no ebook version of "Heart's Surrender" so don't bother looking for it. I searched high and low and finally emailed Kathleen. She confirmed it has never been released electronically but said maybe one day she will. I sure hope so. Releasing it as an ebook would also be a re-release and bring it to the attention of many new readers. Then they can all fall in love with the Cat Men as well.
Morigan & Rissa are wonderful together and even though they made my heart ache and I cried more than once, it's all good. Their story has stayed with me all these years. I cared about the others in the book, most especially Naren *sigh*. I still miss them sometimes, which to me is the sign of a great book.
"Heart's Surrender" was written when futuristic romance was in it's infancy and yet I think it still stands as one of the best. It's one of my very favorite books ever. None of the subsequent books in the Imperium series are true sequels. ("Heart's Surrender" is actually a prequel to "Heart's Lair", which was published first.) Kathleen teased us at the end of "Heart's Surrender"that she would give us future stories of the Cat Men of Agrica but then she never did. I still hope and wait. It took Justine Davis twenty years to finally give us the sequels to "Lord of the Storm" and "The Skypirate" so maybe one day we'll finally get another Cat Man story. I can only hope.
There is no ebook version of "Heart's Surrender" so don't bother looking for it. I searched high and low and finally emailed Kathleen. She confirmed it has never been released electronically but said maybe one day she will. I sure hope so. Releasing it as an ebook would also be a re-release and bring it to the attention of many new readers. Then they can all fall in love with the Cat Men as well.
December 17, 2022
I had never tried futuristic romance before reading this book and I am so glad I picked up this book. It is my absolute favorite romance novel of all time. The cat people was a brilliantly creation and the imagination and skill of this writer is above and beyond in this genre. This book kept me totally engrossed the entire story, it is filled with steamy romance but it isn’t just an average romance, it is very different and has a lot of action and adventure and also some rivalry and a great backstory. I read this one first so when I found out there was another book about the cat people I had to read that one as well. It is rare that I love a book so much that I have actually read it about a dozen times over the years and I would rate it more stars if I could. All the characters in this book are unforgettable as is the story. Warning there are some heartbreaking scenarios near the end. But it made the story even better.
July 30, 2022
I didn't enjoy this very much. I thought it was a bit long, and I didn't really like the setting or the characters, and I wasn't convinced by their connection. There were also a few contradictions to my mind - e.g. the heroine, Rissa, was supposedly brought up to be open-minded by her mother but the first thing she practically says is how good it is her father is wiping out the lowly Cat People. It had potential, but I really just thought her Cat People weren't well described. I think this book is a prequel for another one on the Cat Men of Agrica - Heart's Lair – so maybe if you'd read that first it would gel better?
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April 5, 2022Enjoyable book, with very memorable characters and world building. I was concerned after reading some reviews indicating rape, but it wasn't a problem. Yes, there was one female in the book who was raped, but Morigan did not rape Rissa, and the Cat Man who actually raped a humanoid died, which was nice. Fun read.
November 22, 2019
I have read & re-read this book so many times, it is a excellent book. It was so good when I start rereading this book again after sometimes a few months or 6 months, or some other time frame I get so into the book I can't put it down.
I highly recommend this book. Excellent read.
I highly recommend this book. Excellent read.
August 19, 2020
Well... That was a thing.
The world? Neat. The concept of interstellar colonialism and the effects? Good, good.
The plot and romance and characters? Ummm. Loooots of dubious consent and violence and confusion.
The world? Neat. The concept of interstellar colonialism and the effects? Good, good.
The plot and romance and characters? Ummm. Loooots of dubious consent and violence and confusion.
May 20, 2019
This was the first book I read by her and have loved rereading for years. Wish I could find the whole set to read again
April 14, 2015
It was a long time ago that I read this book and was just searching to try and find it today. I so loved this book and it is the book that got me into reading fantasy romance. It was sexy and had very strong characters! I was disappointed to find out it was available as an ebook :( . If I manage to get my hands on it again I will do a better review.
March 17, 2015
This is one of the very first paranormal romance books I read, so it gets kudos for my initiation to the genre. It was well-written, the characters and environment were fleshed out nicely, my only beef was the rapey nature of the relationships.
January 6, 2021
Pretty good book. New take on paranormal.
September 3, 2011
Frisky, yes
February 6, 2018
I can't decide if I liked this or not... It was slow... A little too much drama and it dragged. It overstretched so slowly... Like ...
Review soon!
Review soon!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews