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The Surrender of a Lady
The Price Of Passion…
Sold. With one word, Lady Elena Ravenscliffe’s destiny changes forever. Forced into Constantinople’s slave market to pay off her late husband’s debts and save her son, Elena reinvents herself as Jinan—a harem girl adored by the rich lords who bid on her favors. But one man instantly sees through her façade.
…Is Complete Surrender
Griffin Summerfield, Marquess of Rothburn, let Elena slip through his fingers years ago. When he recognizes her on the auction block, he pays an outrageous sum to possess her even if it is for a short period of time. But when his deadline looms, Griffin will risk all in a desperate bid to make her his—and his alone…
Sold. With one word, Lady Elena Ravenscliffe’s destiny changes forever. Forced into Constantinople’s slave market to pay off her late husband’s debts and save her son, Elena reinvents herself as Jinan—a harem girl adored by the rich lords who bid on her favors. But one man instantly sees through her façade.
…Is Complete Surrender
Griffin Summerfield, Marquess of Rothburn, let Elena slip through his fingers years ago. When he recognizes her on the auction block, he pays an outrageous sum to possess her even if it is for a short period of time. But when his deadline looms, Griffin will risk all in a desperate bid to make her his—and his alone…
318 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 28, 2010
4 people are currently reading
588 people want to read
About the author
Tiffany Clare
15 books293 followersDeciding that life had far more to offer than a nine to five job, bickering children and housework of any kind (unless she's on a deadline when everything is magically spotless), Tiffany Clare opened up her laptop to write stories she could get lost in. Tiffany writes historical romances set in the Victorian era.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
January 1, 2011
4 stars – Historical/Victorian/Harem Romance
I’m slightly apprehensive about reviewing this because I know The Surrender of a Lady probably won’t work for many traditional romance readers, but this represents how I feel about it, so just take from this what you will.
Solely as a romance, I didn’t love it, mainly because there isn’t much “romance” expressed between the H/h, but instead reminiscence of their past, youthful courtship and lost love, explosive desire, mutual longing, emotional conflict, sexual power struggles, and dark obsession. But as a saga of the heroine’s suffering and sexual journey, discovery, and transformation from proper English lady Elena to prized Harem courtesan Jinan as means for survival and sacrifice, it’s compelling, daring, emotive, provocative, sensual, moving, and completely captivating.
I loved the exotic setting, unique story, beautiful writing, quick pacing, and intriguing characters. My only real complaint is that the hero, Griffin, Marquess of Rothburn, was an utter ass, and his actions were selfish, brutish, obsessive, domineering, and hypocritical. I think if there had been deeper romantic development between Elena/Jinan and Griffin or further details of their past relationship, I would have better understood his compulsion and found their erotic passion, intrinsic connection, and intense yearning a bit more believable. The ending is rather abrupt, but thankfully the epilogue provided a satisfying HEA.
This was a great debut read, and I’m looking forward to Tiffany Clare’s upcoming books, The Seduction of His Wife and The Secret Desires of a Governess, both of which have appealing and seemingly more conventional storylines.
I’m slightly apprehensive about reviewing this because I know The Surrender of a Lady probably won’t work for many traditional romance readers, but this represents how I feel about it, so just take from this what you will.
Solely as a romance, I didn’t love it, mainly because there isn’t much “romance” expressed between the H/h, but instead reminiscence of their past, youthful courtship and lost love, explosive desire, mutual longing, emotional conflict, sexual power struggles, and dark obsession. But as a saga of the heroine’s suffering and sexual journey, discovery, and transformation from proper English lady Elena to prized Harem courtesan Jinan as means for survival and sacrifice, it’s compelling, daring, emotive, provocative, sensual, moving, and completely captivating.
I loved the exotic setting, unique story, beautiful writing, quick pacing, and intriguing characters. My only real complaint is that the hero, Griffin, Marquess of Rothburn, was an utter ass, and his actions were selfish, brutish, obsessive, domineering, and hypocritical. I think if there had been deeper romantic development between Elena/Jinan and Griffin or further details of their past relationship, I would have better understood his compulsion and found their erotic passion, intrinsic connection, and intense yearning a bit more believable. The ending is rather abrupt, but thankfully the epilogue provided a satisfying HEA.
This was a great debut read, and I’m looking forward to Tiffany Clare’s upcoming books, The Seduction of His Wife and The Secret Desires of a Governess, both of which have appealing and seemingly more conventional storylines.
July 18, 2011
It is absolutely unfathomable how reading 312 pages where a proper English lady is sold, stripped, turned into a whore and made to suffer the most disturbing, deplorable humiliations and degradations in order to protect her child, then 6 pages of "happy ending" could ever be considered a romance.
For a more complete review, visit www.affairedecoeur.com, October 2010 issue.
For a more complete review, visit www.affairedecoeur.com, October 2010 issue.
September 28, 2010
Starts out with an emotional bang but loses steam quick with lackluster love scene and the questionable motivation of the characters, specifically the hero.
October 31, 2011
i know a lot of people loved this but in all honesty i just thought it was horrible.
The starting premise works well and the horrors of the slave trade are brought home in spades.
My real problem was that I could not stand Amir. He was just vile. And yet, we are told time and again how much the heroine must learn to respect and adore him; how wonderful he is; how grateful she is to him; how well he looks after her son; how she must do what ever he wants; how she is desperate to return to him;how she grovels at his feet; how he tells her that her upset upon return can only be dealt with by giving herself on the auction block, how she is so overwhelmed by his generosity when he frees her yada yada ya....
i wanted to vomit.
Lets be honest, this is a man who has her bought at a slave market; locks her up in his harem as his latest slave sex toy; has sex with her despite her distress; makes it clear to her from the outset that he will sell her to other men; he grooms her for this process by exposing her to public sex and allowing other men to touch her intimately and then tops it all with having her publicly stripped naked and auctioned to a different man once a year for periods at a time; he holds her son over her; and kidnaps her back indicating that he is going to sell her at the auction immediately (all for her own good). UGH!!
This man is a slave owning manipulative pimp who trades in women who have no choice and no way out. The lack of insight into the reality of the character was just disturbing.
Also Elena's refusal to accept her first rescue and her insistence that she was Jinan the harem slave girl was simply incomprehensible. I could understand that she may have experienced problems with the transition but she behaved as if she had never had another life and had no point of reference to which to return. quite frankly she was just TSTL.
she is so emersed that even at the epilogue she is known as Jinan and not Elena. This was just nonsensical. She is married to a marquise, has a titled son of her own and if she wanted them to have any quality of life she would have taken her proper name back.
we are told repeatedly that she is doing this for her son but Jonathon was the son of an English Baron and it was hard to believe it was in his best interests to grow up in a harem where his mother was a sex slave. It wasn't exactly going to help him get to school, retrieve his estate and take his title etc. Also he was a totally absent figure in the book as although we have the stupid h crying for him all over the place, he is never an actual presence in the book and appears in only passing reference.
The romance between the h & h rang hollow. They have a brief history together which just comes across as superficial and they make no real attempt to actually talk to each other. the hero is a opium dealing a hole, although i found my sympathies lay more with him in the second part of the book as I just wanted to wack the heroine.
The whole thing was generally based on sex (a lot of it) and not much else.
even the language bugged me.
i really hated this.
The starting premise works well and the horrors of the slave trade are brought home in spades.
My real problem was that I could not stand Amir. He was just vile. And yet, we are told time and again how much the heroine must learn to respect and adore him; how wonderful he is; how grateful she is to him; how well he looks after her son; how she must do what ever he wants; how she is desperate to return to him;how she grovels at his feet; how he tells her that her upset upon return can only be dealt with by giving herself on the auction block, how she is so overwhelmed by his generosity when he frees her yada yada ya....
i wanted to vomit.
Lets be honest, this is a man who has her bought at a slave market; locks her up in his harem as his latest slave sex toy; has sex with her despite her distress; makes it clear to her from the outset that he will sell her to other men; he grooms her for this process by exposing her to public sex and allowing other men to touch her intimately and then tops it all with having her publicly stripped naked and auctioned to a different man once a year for periods at a time; he holds her son over her; and kidnaps her back indicating that he is going to sell her at the auction immediately (all for her own good). UGH!!
This man is a slave owning manipulative pimp who trades in women who have no choice and no way out. The lack of insight into the reality of the character was just disturbing.
Also Elena's refusal to accept her first rescue and her insistence that she was Jinan the harem slave girl was simply incomprehensible. I could understand that she may have experienced problems with the transition but she behaved as if she had never had another life and had no point of reference to which to return. quite frankly she was just TSTL.
she is so emersed that even at the epilogue she is known as Jinan and not Elena. This was just nonsensical. She is married to a marquise, has a titled son of her own and if she wanted them to have any quality of life she would have taken her proper name back.
we are told repeatedly that she is doing this for her son but Jonathon was the son of an English Baron and it was hard to believe it was in his best interests to grow up in a harem where his mother was a sex slave. It wasn't exactly going to help him get to school, retrieve his estate and take his title etc. Also he was a totally absent figure in the book as although we have the stupid h crying for him all over the place, he is never an actual presence in the book and appears in only passing reference.
The romance between the h & h rang hollow. They have a brief history together which just comes across as superficial and they make no real attempt to actually talk to each other. the hero is a opium dealing a hole, although i found my sympathies lay more with him in the second part of the book as I just wanted to wack the heroine.
The whole thing was generally based on sex (a lot of it) and not much else.
even the language bugged me.
i really hated this.
December 18, 2010
So is it possible to like a romance and not like the hero? Loved Clare's voice, loved Jinan, loved the world she set up and how it wasn't all OMG TURKS ARE GROSS and how Jinan actually liked the other women in the harem. I am always fascinated by Ottoman/Turkish culture and I appreciate it when they're not drawn as Bad Awful Slavers of Nice White Girls. And while this plot danced close to that, I think that the white people in this were equally awful (the hero, her husband) and the Turkish characters the more sympathetic ones (Laila, Amir).
So as Jinan's story, I liked this. As a romance...I'm not so much sold. I do think I'll read Clare's next book just because I really did like her writing.
This one is good for people that like a slightly different setting, a courtesan heroine who is actually a courtesan, and people that like old school Bertrice Small romance type storylines. If you don't like those, I suggest waiting for Clare's next book. I myself like all three of those things, so this was a good read for me.
So as Jinan's story, I liked this. As a romance...I'm not so much sold. I do think I'll read Clare's next book just because I really did like her writing.
This one is good for people that like a slightly different setting, a courtesan heroine who is actually a courtesan, and people that like old school Bertrice Small romance type storylines. If you don't like those, I suggest waiting for Clare's next book. I myself like all three of those things, so this was a good read for me.
October 24, 2010
What a thoroughly depressing book! It should not be called a romance IMO. 300 pages of misery are not overcome by 10 pages of HEA! Fail.
May 2, 2016
Buku Historical Romance yg pertama dibaca di Kindle saya. Sebenarnya sdh dibaca di Android sekitar 60% sebelum "bencana" terjadi, tiba-tiba lenyap nyaris semua e-book yg di Android.
Diceritakan Elena yg baru melahirkan putranya, tiba-tiba terkejut mendapatkan dirinya dijual oleh suaminya, penjudi kelas berat yg sdh tidak bisa tertolong lagi. Terkatung-katung, sampai akhirnya terdamparlah Elena di suatu pulau milik seorang Amir, pangeran negara antah berantah di Arab, yg mendidik dan melatih Elena utk menjadi salah satu wanita favorite di haremnya utk penghibur para lord kaya dari negara2 asing.
Maka bertransformasi-lah Elena menjadi Jinan. Alur cerita maju 5 thn kemudian. Tanpa sengaja takdir menentukan Jinan bertemu dgn cinta pertamanya, Griffin, Lord Rothburn, dlm pelelangan harem utk menemani tamu2 lord asing.
Jinan yg sudah mengetahui Griffin, berupaya terus utk menutupi identitas aslinya. Griffin yg sdh bs menebak Jinan yg sebenarnya Elena, berupaya keras membuka cadarnya. Dan setelah Griffin berhasil menembus identitas asli Jinan, serta merta dia membawa kabur Jinan dgn membiusnya, ke Italia.
Jinan yg saat sadar dirinya dibius, seketika panik dan minta dikembalikan ke Amir, takut putranya akan mengalami hal buruk. Griffin menolak keras permintaan Jinan. Dan saat Griffin pusing tujuh keliling, Amir sudah menemukan dan mengepung tempat persembunyian mereka. Jinan diambil kembali dan Griffin terpaksa menelan kekalahan pahit. Akankah Griffin tetap putus asa dan kembali kehilangan Elena/Jinan utk kedua kalinya? Masih adakah rasa cinta Elena/Jinan pada Griffin?
Mungkin HR yg kali ini saya baca agak menawarkan sedikit istimewa dibandingkan yg seblmnya saya baca. Dgn setting Mediterania, saya mendapat gambaran luas ttg harem dan proses penyeleksian utk pelelangannya. Deskripsi ttg harem ini cukup mendetail, termasuk dari awal Elena "dibentuk" utk menjadi gadis harem yg akan meningkatkan pundi-pundi sang Amir.
Kekurangan buku ini, jujur saya tidak puas dgn karakter Jinan, yg tiba-tiba jadi galau menyebalkan setelah diculik Griffin. Mental harem yg sudah melekat pada dirinya selama 5 thn ternyata tidak bisa dihancurkan oleh Griffin, malah nyaris mencelakakan Griffin di tangan Amir. Sehingga adegan2 di ranjang seakan cuma sekedar hubungan antara majikan dan pembantunya, hubungan yg tidak digerakkan oleh ikatan cinta. Saya jadi bingung seakan-akan cinta diantara mereka mirip balon yg ditiup-dikempeskan-ditiup kembali.
Secara keseluruhan, buku ini lumayan asik dibaca, walau lebih banyak narasi cerita dr bingkai kacamata Elena/Jinan dan belakangan dari sisi Griffin.
Diceritakan Elena yg baru melahirkan putranya, tiba-tiba terkejut mendapatkan dirinya dijual oleh suaminya, penjudi kelas berat yg sdh tidak bisa tertolong lagi. Terkatung-katung, sampai akhirnya terdamparlah Elena di suatu pulau milik seorang Amir, pangeran negara antah berantah di Arab, yg mendidik dan melatih Elena utk menjadi salah satu wanita favorite di haremnya utk penghibur para lord kaya dari negara2 asing.
Maka bertransformasi-lah Elena menjadi Jinan. Alur cerita maju 5 thn kemudian. Tanpa sengaja takdir menentukan Jinan bertemu dgn cinta pertamanya, Griffin, Lord Rothburn, dlm pelelangan harem utk menemani tamu2 lord asing.
Jinan yg sudah mengetahui Griffin, berupaya terus utk menutupi identitas aslinya. Griffin yg sdh bs menebak Jinan yg sebenarnya Elena, berupaya keras membuka cadarnya. Dan setelah Griffin berhasil menembus identitas asli Jinan, serta merta dia membawa kabur Jinan dgn membiusnya, ke Italia.
Jinan yg saat sadar dirinya dibius, seketika panik dan minta dikembalikan ke Amir, takut putranya akan mengalami hal buruk. Griffin menolak keras permintaan Jinan. Dan saat Griffin pusing tujuh keliling, Amir sudah menemukan dan mengepung tempat persembunyian mereka. Jinan diambil kembali dan Griffin terpaksa menelan kekalahan pahit. Akankah Griffin tetap putus asa dan kembali kehilangan Elena/Jinan utk kedua kalinya? Masih adakah rasa cinta Elena/Jinan pada Griffin?
Mungkin HR yg kali ini saya baca agak menawarkan sedikit istimewa dibandingkan yg seblmnya saya baca. Dgn setting Mediterania, saya mendapat gambaran luas ttg harem dan proses penyeleksian utk pelelangannya. Deskripsi ttg harem ini cukup mendetail, termasuk dari awal Elena "dibentuk" utk menjadi gadis harem yg akan meningkatkan pundi-pundi sang Amir.
Kekurangan buku ini, jujur saya tidak puas dgn karakter Jinan, yg tiba-tiba jadi galau menyebalkan setelah diculik Griffin. Mental harem yg sudah melekat pada dirinya selama 5 thn ternyata tidak bisa dihancurkan oleh Griffin, malah nyaris mencelakakan Griffin di tangan Amir. Sehingga adegan2 di ranjang seakan cuma sekedar hubungan antara majikan dan pembantunya, hubungan yg tidak digerakkan oleh ikatan cinta. Saya jadi bingung seakan-akan cinta diantara mereka mirip balon yg ditiup-dikempeskan-ditiup kembali.
Secara keseluruhan, buku ini lumayan asik dibaca, walau lebih banyak narasi cerita dr bingkai kacamata Elena/Jinan dan belakangan dari sisi Griffin.
March 24, 2014
Meh... I both liked and disliked this book. The time line was jumpy and a bit hard to follow. whats more it didn't come off feeling like a romance. I usually enjoy harem books but then this one was different in that the girls in the harem weren't just sleeping with one man, but being auctioned off to spend months at a time with another. It was just weird. And then there was the relationship between Griffin and Elena which didn't really seem like a relationship at all. So again just weird, in the end 2 stars?
June 16, 2011
I so liked this idea but I kept waiting for something to happen or catch my attention. I really didn't care for the main character either. Once I read the first encounter between hero and heroine I put the book down. I just didn't care for it and the jumping back and forth between past and present didn't work for me either.
September 27, 2010
Parts of the story were fresh, compelling and a page turner-but somewhere in the middle I felt like I was reading a dated Beatrice Small romance.... A little to over the top- shaking my head at the heroine's angst and reaction to the hero, pulled me from what might have been a great romance.
January 13, 2011
Bizarre book for me. I didn't feel the love between the H and h. Weird sexual scenes, weren't exciting or beautiful just weird. Just didn't feel any connection with any of the characters, primary or secondary.
January 7, 2014
A wonderful debut novel! Refreshing and unusual historical setting. Exotic and lush. A new author to watch.
January 2, 2018
This story started off ok and then just became monotonous. I ended up skipping pages about half way through and it didn't start picking up again until almost the end. The epilogue was also a disappointment, many questions were never answered in regards to her son, taking his rightful place or if the heroine ever assimilated back into society.
The heroine was in love with a man whom she was betrothed to for a day. The fiancée somehow was told by his family he could not marry her, so he ditched her and left the country. In the meantime his jerky relatives place her in a compromising position with a loser baron and she has to marry him. The baron has to keep running from his creditors so the heroine and him end up in Constantinople with their infant son. The baron loses all his money gambling and sell's his wife to pay off debts. The husband is swiftly killed and the heroine is tied up and her infant son taken. She lives a hellish existence for a week when a harem buyer finds her. He purchases her with promises she will see her son. She ends up in an harem and finally resigns herself to her fate when the ex fiancée shows up and recognizes her. From that point the story started dragging. The author really didn't get into their past love/ romance or even what happened with the relatives, so it was difficult to really get into the story.
Heat level- It's about a Harem. While the scenes are not gratuitous, there are many
Violence- fist cuff level
The heroine was in love with a man whom she was betrothed to for a day. The fiancée somehow was told by his family he could not marry her, so he ditched her and left the country. In the meantime his jerky relatives place her in a compromising position with a loser baron and she has to marry him. The baron has to keep running from his creditors so the heroine and him end up in Constantinople with their infant son. The baron loses all his money gambling and sell's his wife to pay off debts. The husband is swiftly killed and the heroine is tied up and her infant son taken. She lives a hellish existence for a week when a harem buyer finds her. He purchases her with promises she will see her son. She ends up in an harem and finally resigns herself to her fate when the ex fiancée shows up and recognizes her. From that point the story started dragging. The author really didn't get into their past love/ romance or even what happened with the relatives, so it was difficult to really get into the story.
Heat level- It's about a Harem. While the scenes are not gratuitous, there are many
Violence- fist cuff level
August 30, 2019
This was a very quick read, I couldn't put the book down as I had to know what happened.
I have to admire Elena, despite being sold by her awful husband into slavery, she makes the best of the situation and does whatever she can in order to ensure the safety and happiness of her child. The ladies in the harem teach Elena to take control of her life, they help look after her son, Jonathan, and helped her create the persona, Jinan.
I truly thought that Griffin would be the hero that Elena needs and wants in her life after everything that happened. However, based on his actions, it does not appear to actually see Elena as his equal, only as a damsel in distress, and does not truly spend the time to find out her side of the story and her situation. Griffin is all brute force, just like the rest of the men in Elena's life.... honestly Elena isn't better off with any of the men. I much prefer that she lives her life independently and freely with her son if she ever escapes the clutches of these powerful men. But with her former husband, Amir and Griffin, they each have their own agendas and none of it involves allowing Elena to be truly free.
I have to admire Elena, despite being sold by her awful husband into slavery, she makes the best of the situation and does whatever she can in order to ensure the safety and happiness of her child. The ladies in the harem teach Elena to take control of her life, they help look after her son, Jonathan, and helped her create the persona, Jinan.
I truly thought that Griffin would be the hero that Elena needs and wants in her life after everything that happened. However, based on his actions, it does not appear to actually see Elena as his equal, only as a damsel in distress, and does not truly spend the time to find out her side of the story and her situation. Griffin is all brute force, just like the rest of the men in Elena's life.... honestly Elena isn't better off with any of the men. I much prefer that she lives her life independently and freely with her son if she ever escapes the clutches of these powerful men. But with her former husband, Amir and Griffin, they each have their own agendas and none of it involves allowing Elena to be truly free.
November 10, 2017
Started at 'Meh' and quickly went to 'Ugh'. The main characters (well, all the characters; plot moppet warning) were poorly drawn cardboard cutouts and annoying as hell; when the heroine wasn't in tears, she was groveling at the feet of her brothel master or - most disgustingly - still turned on even as she was being raped. Gross. The jump cuts across scenes, and even years, were poorly done and made the plot severely underdeveloped, with *lots* of repetitious internal monologues. Plus it was one of those aggravating novels where key information points (like, why would you not say a) you had a son and b) it was your late husband's?) could have been conveyed in one rational conversation, saving everyone much grief. I'm a completist, so I finished it, but it was a struggle. Glad it was from the library.
May 24, 2019
I'm only half-way through and already annoyed with the book. Elena, or Jinan, loves Griffin, so why is she so upset when he rescues her?! Like girl, be grateful. Yes, it sucks about your son, but maybe he can get him back. She should be so happy that the man she loves has deigned to save her from the life of the harem.
I'm still not sure why everyone in the comments seems to hate Griffin and think he's an ass.
Also fyi I finished reading this book.
I'm still not sure why everyone in the comments seems to hate Griffin and think he's an ass.
Also fyi I finished reading this book.
October 5, 2019
Sorry I just couldn't get behind this disgusting display of what is not Romance. Do we really want our children thinking that being in a harem, being sold on an auction block and having sex with multiple men is romantic. For all her protest that she loves Amir and wants to be with him... she has Stockholm Syndrome and that's the only reason she was in agreement with anything that was happening to her.
October 2, 2024
2nd Reread- going through all my old books again. This was a heart breaking story and full of angst. A bittersweet story with a lovely HEA. A lady is sold by her awful husband into a princes harem & the love her life recognises her. Get ready for the tissues
June 12, 2019
Definitely interesting. Not much of a romance though if you're looking for traditional historical romance.
April 26, 2011
Memorable Scene:
- Elena’s reunion with her infant son > absolutely heartbreaking!
The heroine of this book, Elena Ravenscliffe, is gambled away by her irresponsible and self-centered husband. She ends up in a harem as a sex slave after being bought at a slave market. As the harem girl Jinan she is forced to grow up from a young, almost naïve girl into a strong, resilient woman of the world.
The hero of this book was a bit of a problem for me. He’s a former opium-addict and from the start I found him a little selfish and I didn’t really click with him to begin with. Sadly this never improved throughout the book.
Though I really enjoyed reading this book, there were also a few things that didn’t quite work for me. First was the hero, but there was also the placement of chapter 3 in relation to chapters 4 through 7 in the chronology. I didn’t understand the reason for not keeping it chronologically and put the events of that chapter after chapter 7. I am sure the author and/or editor must have had a reason for this but it never was clear to me and though this did not lessen the enjoyment of the book, it did take me out of the reading flow a little during that first part of the book.
In this unusual historical romance Tiffany Clare is not afraid to touch subjects like prostitution, drug addiction and kidnapping in a way that was acceptable to me as a reader who is sometimes wary of these subjects. I also liked that she kept non hero/heroine sexual activities from going all the way in detail and mostly off the page, the way she did for example in the scene with Jinan and Amir. I don’t think I could have handled or appreciated a detailed scene at that point.
While I really loved the first part of the book, despite the minor chronology issue, I was a bit less enthusiastic about the start of the second part of the book as in that part I lost the connection with the romance and the characters a bit and I missed some crucial plot information, which once again took me out of the reading flow trying to sort it out in my head. Though I can’t fully condone what Griffin did in the beginning of this second part of the book, on the other hand Jinan had refused to tell him about herself and her past so he had no way of knowing how hurtful his actions were. However, what he does further on is inexcusable. He just seemed totally blind and deaf to Jinan’s feelings and completely unwilling to see the difficulty of the position she was in and in my opinion that just went on too long and Griffin went too far in his hardheadedness.
As much as Griffin made me want to pound my head against the wall, I really loved and admired Jinan for the strong, determined woman she had become, standing her ground and facing a man deaf and blind to her protests, reasoning and dilemma.
I must say that a HEA seemed unattainable and I was constantly wondering how on earth the story was going to have a happy ending. And when the conclusion had started to take form I couldn’t help but feel a bit of trepidation. It was certainly not a HEA the way I was expecting and for me there was not enough groveling from Griffin’s part in the end to justify his redemption. The end left me a bit unsatisfied despite the HEA that was definitely there.
SURRENDER OF A LADY is a wonderful and promising historical romance by debut author Tiffany Clare, with an admirable heroine, an unusual setting and an extraordinary premise. While the harem girl/sex slave trope is not uncommon in historical romance, Tiffany Clare managed to give it a unique twist that left me with absolutely no reason to question her imagination and writing skills. Her newest book is definitely on my order-list.
Favorite Quote:
She was only Jinan here. Elena had died long ago when the last shred of decency she once esteemed herself in had been stolen. By the man she’d been forced to marry in the end. Men never brought her love. They brought her misery upon misery. Loneliness.
PWOR-Rating: 6.0 out of 10
June 14, 2011
This book is probably best classified as an erotic novel with enough romance squeezed in to bump it into the Romance section. Because we all know a true erotic novel typically ends up in that singular section at the book store at the end of the entire row of Romance. Combine the fancy font title scroll and the lovely lady in a gown artwork, and BAM you’ve got enough to have a historical romance. Right? Sort of…
I would be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy this book. Because, well, I did. It was a fun read. I personally was fascinated by Elena’s horrific descent from noble lady to harem harlot. She’s sold into slavery by her husband to settle his debts, and after about a week in the slave market she’s sold to a harem. Clare takes a few chapters to allow her character to transition into her new role. Elena rechristens herself “Jinan” and spends the next five years accepting and welcoming her role as a concubine. I think what fascinated me most about this transition was what on earth miracle depilatory those ladies used…whatever it is, I want it.
The main plot drive of the book is Griffin and his desire to have Elena, aka Jinan, and how far he goes to have her. Er…own but not “own” her. Apparently, people, Griffin and Elena had a twelve hour engagement and they were, like OH SO TOTALLY IN LOVE but it didn’t last so Elena married another guy who ended up being a total asshat. Bummer. So when Griffin is dragged by his friend to a harem to lighten his broody mood, he is shocked to find his once true loooove now servicing men. So what’s he do? Well, he buys her, of course. For three months. Then he kidnaps her against her will…er…I mean rescues her. But her pimp comes a callin and takes her back. Oh…and Janin is all like “my SON! You left my son behind!” because the whole POINT of her accepting this harem life was that her protector pimp but not a pimp would allow her son to stay with her and would take care of them both.
*sigh* SO…there’s a bunch of “I want you but I can’t” going on here that totally takes a back seat to the crazy SMEXY times that are had. I think Clare tried to really have an angsty romance going on here, but she didn’t quite pull it off. But honestly, I was ok with that. I don’t mind a good sex-but-no-substance book now and then.
In review, if you’re looking for an epic steamy romance that will stick with you…I would probably pass on this book. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a light, quick read that will make your panties ride high, then I’d say GO FOR IT. I doubt I’ll read this again, but I enjoyed my time with it.
What I loved about this book: The harem life – faaaaascinating
What I didn’t like: I wasn’t invested in the relationship of the characters, and didn’t really care to be
Rating: C
I would be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy this book. Because, well, I did. It was a fun read. I personally was fascinated by Elena’s horrific descent from noble lady to harem harlot. She’s sold into slavery by her husband to settle his debts, and after about a week in the slave market she’s sold to a harem. Clare takes a few chapters to allow her character to transition into her new role. Elena rechristens herself “Jinan” and spends the next five years accepting and welcoming her role as a concubine. I think what fascinated me most about this transition was what on earth miracle depilatory those ladies used…whatever it is, I want it.
The main plot drive of the book is Griffin and his desire to have Elena, aka Jinan, and how far he goes to have her. Er…own but not “own” her. Apparently, people, Griffin and Elena had a twelve hour engagement and they were, like OH SO TOTALLY IN LOVE but it didn’t last so Elena married another guy who ended up being a total asshat. Bummer. So when Griffin is dragged by his friend to a harem to lighten his broody mood, he is shocked to find his once true loooove now servicing men. So what’s he do? Well, he buys her, of course. For three months. Then he kidnaps her against her will…er…I mean rescues her. But her pimp comes a callin and takes her back. Oh…and Janin is all like “my SON! You left my son behind!” because the whole POINT of her accepting this harem life was that her protector pimp but not a pimp would allow her son to stay with her and would take care of them both.
*sigh* SO…there’s a bunch of “I want you but I can’t” going on here that totally takes a back seat to the crazy SMEXY times that are had. I think Clare tried to really have an angsty romance going on here, but she didn’t quite pull it off. But honestly, I was ok with that. I don’t mind a good sex-but-no-substance book now and then.
In review, if you’re looking for an epic steamy romance that will stick with you…I would probably pass on this book. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a light, quick read that will make your panties ride high, then I’d say GO FOR IT. I doubt I’ll read this again, but I enjoyed my time with it.
What I loved about this book: The harem life – faaaaascinating
What I didn’t like: I wasn’t invested in the relationship of the characters, and didn’t really care to be
Rating: C
April 15, 2016
This tale isn't the typical regency/historical romance it's touted as but it isn't typical historical fiction either. This tale isn't exactly the evil slavers and their hapless victims and it isn't exactly life in a harem is great, everyone should spend a season or three in one. What it is, is harsh subject matter wrapped in pretty clothes that defies easy categorization.
Constantinople was supposed to be a new start and things were supposed to be different. They were. Robert was different. He was worse than Elena could imagine. This time she'd take their infant son and leave Robert and their troubles behind. Their child would be better off without a gambling father that played havoc with this title and couldn't pay his debts.
But Robert and the hulking duo with him thwart her plan and Elena finds Robert used her as collateral when his coin ran out. The duo is there to escort her to her new life. Unwilling to accept her change of fate and unable to find a way out or to save her son, Elena eventually distances herself from being bought, sold and rented for pleasure and reinvents herself as the desirable courtesan, Jinan.
Trolling for diversion, Lord Griffin Summerfield recognized Lady Elena Ravenscliffe the moment he saw her. No matter the last time he saw her was being forced to marry a lowly Baron, he'd know her anywhere. She was, after all, the one that got away. If renting her was the only way he could possess her then renting her was his exact next step.
The skillful writing here guarantees this won't be the last book I read from this author. However, for this readers taste there was too little romance, more was needed from the hero to achieve satisfaction. This reader is convinced knights in shining armor atop mighty steeds were imagined for just this type of scenario and wouldn't have been out of place in this tale.
Rating: 3.5stars
Constantinople was supposed to be a new start and things were supposed to be different. They were. Robert was different. He was worse than Elena could imagine. This time she'd take their infant son and leave Robert and their troubles behind. Their child would be better off without a gambling father that played havoc with this title and couldn't pay his debts.
But Robert and the hulking duo with him thwart her plan and Elena finds Robert used her as collateral when his coin ran out. The duo is there to escort her to her new life. Unwilling to accept her change of fate and unable to find a way out or to save her son, Elena eventually distances herself from being bought, sold and rented for pleasure and reinvents herself as the desirable courtesan, Jinan.
Trolling for diversion, Lord Griffin Summerfield recognized Lady Elena Ravenscliffe the moment he saw her. No matter the last time he saw her was being forced to marry a lowly Baron, he'd know her anywhere. She was, after all, the one that got away. If renting her was the only way he could possess her then renting her was his exact next step.
The skillful writing here guarantees this won't be the last book I read from this author. However, for this readers taste there was too little romance, more was needed from the hero to achieve satisfaction. This reader is convinced knights in shining armor atop mighty steeds were imagined for just this type of scenario and wouldn't have been out of place in this tale.
Rating: 3.5stars
November 5, 2010
THE SURRENDER OF A LADY by Tiffany Clare is a historical romance set in 1841 Constantinople and Greece. It is well written with details, depth, fast paced, and a page turner.It has passion,betrayal, deceit,a harem, slave trade, sensuality,romance, lust, love, determination, lost love and the coming together of that long ago lost love. The heroine, Elena, beautiful, married to a gambler, has a infant, sold into slavery by her husband for his gambling debts, determined to survive the and save her infant son. She is bought by a prince,who also buys her infant son,she is made into his sex slave and sold on the auction block as part of his Harlem. Endures this life for five years by reinventing herself into someone else, a Turkish Princess,Jinan, in order to survive,to keep her son save and no one recognize her as the English, Elena of her past.The hero, Griffin, a Marquess, has loved her forever, be trying to find her, recognizes her on the auction block and pays a large sum to possess her for a short period of time. But as he nears the time for the end of his contract for her,he can not bring his self to leave her in this place. He decides to kidnap her, he is not aware she has a son. She is not happy to be away from her son, begs Griffin to take her back. She is concerned with what the prince will do to her young son. He tries to negotiate with prince to buy her and her son, but to no avail. The prince, gets her back and refuses to negotiate with Griffin, but Griffin refuses to give up on Jinan. I would recommend this book especially if you enjoy passion, sensuality, love, destiny, and submitting to your deepest desires. This book was received for review from the publisher and details can be found at St. Martin's Paperbacks and My Book Addiction and More.
October 5, 2011
I reviewed this book on my blog www.bookworm2bookworm.wordpress.com
What a Debut!
I won't go into the plot itself. It's been done by the reviewers before me. I just had to add my 2 cents (or in this case 5 stars) in. I bought this book on a whim while getting Benadryl for my poor husband, while out of state celebrating our 10th Anniversary. Suffice it to say, he zonked out, and I spent the night reading the book.
WOW!!! The book was a pure pleasure to read! Tiffany Clare has a way with words and her debut book is a welcome relief from recent releases of veteran authors (which I will not name here) that do not deserve to have a word "novel" or "historical" in their genre description. Add to that the fact that it is superbly written and you have a "superior historical romance novel".
The dialogue, deep love and obsession which are admitted by our Hero, Marquess of Rothburn, for Elena Ravenscliffe will blow you away as it is written in such a way that you can FEEL it coming of those pages! The Surrender of a Lady is an all consuming tale filled with intrigue, suspense, and gives us an insight into the human psyche of not just the Hero and Heroine, but the secondary characters as well. This was not your average love story. There are no Virgins here. This love story is for grown-ups. This is about love that survives years of separation and heartbreak. The romance and the sex scenes are exquisitely written, and the secondary characters are very memorable personalities. I especially loved Earl of Asbury and cannot wait for his story.
This is one historical romance that is a must read!
I couldn't put this book down. It left me turning page after page, just wanting to see what happens next and how it ends. This is defiantly a keeper!
Melanie
What a Debut!
I won't go into the plot itself. It's been done by the reviewers before me. I just had to add my 2 cents (or in this case 5 stars) in. I bought this book on a whim while getting Benadryl for my poor husband, while out of state celebrating our 10th Anniversary. Suffice it to say, he zonked out, and I spent the night reading the book.
WOW!!! The book was a pure pleasure to read! Tiffany Clare has a way with words and her debut book is a welcome relief from recent releases of veteran authors (which I will not name here) that do not deserve to have a word "novel" or "historical" in their genre description. Add to that the fact that it is superbly written and you have a "superior historical romance novel".
The dialogue, deep love and obsession which are admitted by our Hero, Marquess of Rothburn, for Elena Ravenscliffe will blow you away as it is written in such a way that you can FEEL it coming of those pages! The Surrender of a Lady is an all consuming tale filled with intrigue, suspense, and gives us an insight into the human psyche of not just the Hero and Heroine, but the secondary characters as well. This was not your average love story. There are no Virgins here. This love story is for grown-ups. This is about love that survives years of separation and heartbreak. The romance and the sex scenes are exquisitely written, and the secondary characters are very memorable personalities. I especially loved Earl of Asbury and cannot wait for his story.
This is one historical romance that is a must read!
I couldn't put this book down. It left me turning page after page, just wanting to see what happens next and how it ends. This is defiantly a keeper!
Melanie
July 13, 2011
I really liked this book a lot. The story starts out with Elena and Griffin getting engaged one evening at a ball. The next day Griffin disappears and Elena finds herself engaged to a foolish gambler of little standing. Her husband gets so far into debt that he is forced to give up his wife and son to be sold to help pay off his debts. He unfortunately has a untimelynasty demise.
Amir is a Prince that owns an island paradise near Greece and has a large palace and a harem that he uses for profit; as he auctions the women off to high English bidders. The book has several sad turns as Elena is forced to become Jinan, a Turkish Princess in order to get a high price. After five years in the harem, Jinan gets sold to Griffin as he recognizes her just from her eyes as she is veiled.
He immediately wants her to be his wife as he had once before, but she doesn't agree to leave with him as she is fearful for her son and Amir. Griffin ends up drugging her and taking her away. The story has so many turns that I found it hard to put down.
Amir in return comes for Jinan and almost kills Griffin. She goes back to Amir quite willingly to Griffins surprise. He takes her back to the harem, but she isn't the same as before and asks for her release and her son's release as well. Amir agrees and then puts her up on the block another time to her surprise. She is bid upon and sold to the same man that brought her to the harem.
The story does have a happy ending which I was thankful for as I really wanted the end to be good which I must say was a complete surprise.
Amir is a Prince that owns an island paradise near Greece and has a large palace and a harem that he uses for profit; as he auctions the women off to high English bidders. The book has several sad turns as Elena is forced to become Jinan, a Turkish Princess in order to get a high price. After five years in the harem, Jinan gets sold to Griffin as he recognizes her just from her eyes as she is veiled.
He immediately wants her to be his wife as he had once before, but she doesn't agree to leave with him as she is fearful for her son and Amir. Griffin ends up drugging her and taking her away. The story has so many turns that I found it hard to put down.
Amir in return comes for Jinan and almost kills Griffin. She goes back to Amir quite willingly to Griffins surprise. He takes her back to the harem, but she isn't the same as before and asks for her release and her son's release as well. Amir agrees and then puts her up on the block another time to her surprise. She is bid upon and sold to the same man that brought her to the harem.
The story does have a happy ending which I was thankful for as I really wanted the end to be good which I must say was a complete surprise.
February 15, 2011
I recieved this book through Goodreads First reads.
Wow...I almost don't have the words to describe this wonderful romance novel. This is historical romance at its best. First I'll start with the characters. Elena Ravenscliffe is a wonderful heroine in a terrible situation. She's sold into the Constantinople slave market in order to pay off debts and save her son. The things she does for her son are amazing. I usually can't stand martyr heroines (I find them annoying for not protecting themselves), but Elena is strong in her own right. I love how she thinks of her son whenever she needs the stregnth to endure what she's going through. She's a three-dimensional character that leaps from the pages because she projects the very real emotions of a mother. The hero is Griffin, who is also, may I add, one of the hottest heroes I've ever read in a romance novel. He's my favorite type of hero because he goes after what he wants. And it's clear he wants Elena and she wants him. The sex scenes are HOT! I had to fan myself a couple of times throughout the book. The concept and plot is original, the setting is descriptive, and the characters are wonderful. What more could you want from a romance novel? My only quibble with this book is that Tiffany Clare's sentences are a bit too choppy and fragmented. The writing could have been more lyrical. But the wonderful characters and plot more than made up for that. I highly recommend this book
Wow...I almost don't have the words to describe this wonderful romance novel. This is historical romance at its best. First I'll start with the characters. Elena Ravenscliffe is a wonderful heroine in a terrible situation. She's sold into the Constantinople slave market in order to pay off debts and save her son. The things she does for her son are amazing. I usually can't stand martyr heroines (I find them annoying for not protecting themselves), but Elena is strong in her own right. I love how she thinks of her son whenever she needs the stregnth to endure what she's going through. She's a three-dimensional character that leaps from the pages because she projects the very real emotions of a mother. The hero is Griffin, who is also, may I add, one of the hottest heroes I've ever read in a romance novel. He's my favorite type of hero because he goes after what he wants. And it's clear he wants Elena and she wants him. The sex scenes are HOT! I had to fan myself a couple of times throughout the book. The concept and plot is original, the setting is descriptive, and the characters are wonderful. What more could you want from a romance novel? My only quibble with this book is that Tiffany Clare's sentences are a bit too choppy and fragmented. The writing could have been more lyrical. But the wonderful characters and plot more than made up for that. I highly recommend this book
January 12, 2012
"The Surrender of a Lady" is a debut Historical Romance novel from author Tiffany Clare. Elena's husband bet, and lost her in a gambling bet to a sex slave owner. Bought by a Turkish Prince, she now has to accept that she is now a lady of the harem, and could be for the rest of her life. Will she surrender to this life in order to survive? Will Elena ever feel loved again? Will her son accept what she has become, and understand that she tried her best to raise him?
For being Tiffany Clarie's first Historical Romance Novel, WOW!! is all I can say. This book burns hot with RED hot fiery Passion. An exquisite novel that is brilliantly written with a riveting story line, and exceptional characters that will keep the pages turning. I loved this book so much that I could not keep from turning the pages. "The Surrender of a Lady" is a must read, and will make it on your list of favorite books.
5 Hearts Out Of 5
Reviewed by Lady Victoria
Visit my Website at http://www.historicalromancebooks.ca
For being Tiffany Clarie's first Historical Romance Novel, WOW!! is all I can say. This book burns hot with RED hot fiery Passion. An exquisite novel that is brilliantly written with a riveting story line, and exceptional characters that will keep the pages turning. I loved this book so much that I could not keep from turning the pages. "The Surrender of a Lady" is a must read, and will make it on your list of favorite books.
5 Hearts Out Of 5
Reviewed by Lady Victoria
Visit my Website at http://www.historicalromancebooks.ca
December 15, 2010
"The Surrender of a Lady" is a debut Historical Romance novel from author Tiffany Clare. Elena's husband bet, and lost her in a gambling bet to a sex slave owner. Bought by a Turkish Prince, she now has to accept that she is now a lady of the harem, and could be for the rest of her life. Will she surrender to this life in order to survive? Will Elena ever feel loved again? Will her son accept what she has become, and understand that she tried her best to raise him?
For being Tiffany Clarie's first Historical Romance Novel, WOW!! is all I can say. This book burns hot with RED hot fiery Passion. An exquisite novel that is brilliantly written with a riveting story line, and exceptional characters that will keep the pages turning. I loved this book so much that I could not keep from turning the pages. "The Surrender of a Lady" is a must read, and will make it on your list of favorite books.
5 Hearts Out Of 5
Reviewed by Lady Victoria
Visit my Website at http://www.historicalromancebooks.ca
For being Tiffany Clarie's first Historical Romance Novel, WOW!! is all I can say. This book burns hot with RED hot fiery Passion. An exquisite novel that is brilliantly written with a riveting story line, and exceptional characters that will keep the pages turning. I loved this book so much that I could not keep from turning the pages. "The Surrender of a Lady" is a must read, and will make it on your list of favorite books.
5 Hearts Out Of 5
Reviewed by Lady Victoria
Visit my Website at http://www.historicalromancebooks.ca
November 4, 2010
My opinion about this book stems largely from my own personal preferences, rather than any negative about the author or her ability to tell a story. As difficult as it was for me to read for various reasons, I nonetheless developed a strong desire to reach the end and see how she managed to conclude the story. The writing was very good and the emotions of the characters strong. In every romance I read, the conflict makes me consider whether the hero and heroine will be able to overcome it to be together. In the case of this book, however, I really could not see how it would happen, short of someone's death. And that, if nothing else, kept me turning the pages late into the night.
I am eager to read anything else this author has written, because as I said, the problem I had with this book was personal, and related to the theme. I want to see how her other books pan out.
I am eager to read anything else this author has written, because as I said, the problem I had with this book was personal, and related to the theme. I want to see how her other books pan out.
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