Surrender My Love was the very first Johanna Lindsey novel and the very first romance that I read. After I read it, I was completely hooked. I absolutely loved this story, and if I would have reviewed this story right after I read it I probably would have given it 5 stars, but since then I have read many of her novels as well as other romance novels by other authors and I have found that this one is a little bit lacking. It doesn't have very many romance scenes which I believe is key to a romance novel, but the story is an interesting one, its pretty suspenseful and the characters are very likable. I do recommend this novel just based on the story line, but not for the romance.

I throughly enjoyed this book, and unlike the other two in the trilogy I hadn't read this one before so it was new to me. But like the other books it is worth reading again and again.

I thought this book was wonderfully written, not as intense as the other two but I couldn't put the book down until I'd finished it.

Unlike some reviews I actually liked Erika. She was a lady born and bred. Not to say that Brenna and Kristen weren't, but they both were unique. Both were taught to fight, unlike Lady Erika who knew only how to run a household and expected to some day get married. Was even prepared for it as she expected Ragnar, her brother, to come home with news of a suitable husband.

I also liked Selig. He wasn't exactly stuck on himself but how could he really NOT expect women to adore him when thats all he ever received from them? Adoration. Even his sister got disgusted when he'd meerly walk through the hall with every woman in the room following him with their eyes, even the older ones! It wasn't his fault he was so devestatingly handsome!

Because of a misunderstanding, Selig, who really has a kind heart, takes Erika as a captive, (well, actually it's his sister since he was still injured and to weak to do it himself) determined to take revenge on her for mistreating him while he was hurt and feverish. I could actually understand Erika's dilemma as she felt guilty because Selig was hurt when she had him whipped. She felt she deserved what was being done to her so she didn't fight him overly much. She felt that once her brother showed up to rescue her, her captivity would be over, so she was willing to bide her time and take her "punishment".

Selig, for his part, wasn't all that harsh on her, though he wanted to be. It just wasn't in his nature to treat women badly. True, he did put chains on her but nothing that would weigh her down or chaff her skin, in fact he had chains specifically made for her.

I did notice, however, that unlike the earlier two books Selig DID wait to bed her. Perhaps this is a product of the times because I've noticed the same thing in other books written after the 1980's.

The most enjoyable part of the book was the family atmosphere. I throughly enjoyed visiting with the other members of the Haardrad family again.

Like the other books in the trilogy she wrote memorable characters like Ragnar and Turgeis. It would be nice if Lindsey wrote a book about Meghan, who made her first appearence in Hearts Aflame as a little girl and in Surrender My Love as a young girl of 14. And there is also Ragnar. He never did tell his sister if he found a bride or not. So my question still is...did he? Perhaps Lindsey will one day write his story.

I was given this book at the beach by my friend and had not read the previous two. In fact didn't know there even were other stories until a few chapters into this one. Maybe if I'd read the previous two I would've cared more about Selig and Erika.
However, if you are a big J.L. fan make sure you read the previous two before this one. If you don't you may find it as I did. Sloooooooowwwww and a bit dull. I didn't care for either of the characters and although all romance fans are guarunteed a happy ending Selig and Erika's personalities made their actions and motivations in the book so foregone that it was a trial to finish it out.
Seems like Selig was a bit of a fan fav. for this trilogy and it's a shame that more wasn't made of his story.

Well, if you read my other reviews, they're short and to the point. I love all of J.L.'s works so far, and this doesn't fail me. An excellent read.