Surrender to the Devil: A Victorian Historical Romance Novel (Scoundrels of St. James Book 3)

All the elements that create a great novel were present in this book. I was grabbed by the story line and characters from the first page. Most historical romance have strong hero's and heroines who overcome obstacles to find personal growth in a loving and passionate relationship. Frannie and Sterling face layers of struggle though Frankie has grown up in the poor robberies of London and Sterling in the highest levels of the aristocracy. I couldn't imagine how they could build a long term relationship coming from radically different parts of society. This book seriously challenges the classism in England from all angles. Sterling never envisions how he and Frannie could ever marry. To marry Frankie would mean abandoning the responsibilities of his station as a duke. Frannie doesn't want to ignore her roots which include her family of Feagin's kids who are now grown men. They shelter Frankie and she needs to establish herself as an independent woman who can make her own decisions. Throughout the novel Sterling and Frannie come to face their demons in powerful ways. They come together by accepting themselves an their vulnerabilities by reaching outside of themselves by passionately trying to help the children in the rookies. There isn't an attitude of pity for the kids but a desire to give the children a healthy and loving home. Sterling and Frannie see the childrens strengths in children courage and loveability. The first books in this series lay a helpful foundation for this novel and similar themes connect the books in the series. I don't think this book completely stand alone. The attention to details about the Victorian era, clothing, food even smells helped to put me right into the stench and violence of the robberies and the self centered comforts and viscous snobbery in the upper classes. I found the characters and story very believable in spite of the very dramatic experiences in the characters lives. The introduction of Charles Dickens character, and the parallels between Dickens novels and this book are delightful. This novel took the story and characters to a deeper level than even the best written books that I have enjoyed. I think this novel deserves every one of the five stars I will give it.

Beautiful and Complex Love Story. The story of Frannie and Sterling is haunting. I never give books a 5 star review upon first reading. I reserve that for books that I read over and over again. Surrender to the Devil may one day be a 5 star book for me. This book is already close to a 5, I'd rate it a 4.8 right now. It is that good. The epilogue is some of the most beautiful writing that I have ever read. I cried throughout it. Even if I had not liked the rest of the book, the Epilogue alone would have made the hours worth it.

I really enjoyed this book and kick myself for not discovering Lorraine Heath sooner. The time and place of the story felt real to me. The characters were well drawn and likable. The heroine was, perhaps a little TOO likable, but I admire the choices Heath made in her depictions. Given the setting and circumstances, this could have been a very dark tale. While I occassionally like darkenss in my romances, I was glad that Heath chose to direct her characters and readers to the light. Particularly effective was how Health handled the hero's unusual(for a romance novel)problem, intergrated it with the story and showed the reader how it impacted him and his life choices. Admirably, the writer did not take the easy was out. The problem did manifest itself in the epilogue, but Heath showed the reader that all was not lost. Happily ever after thrived, even in the face of what many would consder a tradegy. Well done. Ms. Heath, you have just got yourself a new fan.

Frannie and the duke were adorable. She is truly a wonderful heroine and the epilogue warmed my soul. This is a must read. In fact Lorraine's entire back list is a must read.

I've been devouring this whole series, but I really really loved Franny's story in particular! Yes, I know that this story relies on characters with very modern attitudes, but I can suspend my disbelief just a touch for a good romance. I love that Franny doesn't find out that she's the long lost daughter of French aristocrats or an heiress in hiding (although I do kinda wish we'd learned more about her mother.) I love that she has a really full, fulfilling life before and after meeting Sterling, and that she's old enough, smart enough, and financially secure enough to take control of her own life. I love that she doesn't allow the pain she suffered as a child to define her or make her bitter or afraid. I love that the hero, who has his flaws, becomes a better person through his relationship with her and that his problems don't just miraculously go away or become insignificant. And if there wasn't enough to love-- I absolutely love the Dickens references. I know that some readers find them distracting and cutesy, but I thought they made this book-- and all the books in this series-- just a little bit more fun for all of us Dickens devotees out there. Definitely recommend this one!

I was surprised that Frannie, the heroine of this story and the abundantly adored and overprotected female member of Feagan's criminal gang, did not end up with one of the other members of the gang - they all loved her so much. Frannie and the Duke of Greystone meet at Greystone's sister's wedding and there is an instant attraction that neither can deny. That attraction continues to grow with each meeting between the two but they both know that nothing can become of the relationship because he is a Duke and she is a commoner, and because the both carry very dark secrets. The characters of this story are admirable and it is clear that these two need one another. I didn't fall in love with the story or with the characters but I enjoyed them. This one seemed to lack a little of the spark that I found in the others. It is a satisfying read however.

Das Buch war wie immer schnell und einfach zu lesen, aber mit hat etwas an der Geschichte gefehlt (Spannung). Ich hatte das Gefühl,dass die Autorin irgendetwas (Story, Action ....) gebraucht hat um die Story spannender zu machen und somit die Waiseninder ins Spiel gebracht hat. Das Buch gehört zu einer Reihe(The Scoundrels of St. James), kann sich aber meiner Meinung nach nicht mit seinen Vorgängern messen. Man kann sich das Buch kaufen, ist jedoch aus meiner Sicht kein "must have". Ich hoffe das kommende Bücher von Lorraine Heath mehr Pep haben. ;-)

It's a brave author who uses characters from Oliver Twist to people her story but I think it works- it's not implausible that Dickens researched the robberies of London and used real characters in his stories. I love this series and have enjoyed seeing the characters fall deeply in love with those who on first blush don't seem right for them. I had a little weep at the end . Just brilliant.

Lorraine is one of my favourite writers of HR. This was a beautiful story and enjoyed it immensely.

Frannie Darling's story is gentler and more poignant than the previous two tales in Heath's trilogy of Fagan's grown up children. I think Jack Dodgers story remains my favourite, but this is still a sweet and deeply romantic tale and Frannie is a wonderful character. Her true love turns out to be Duke Sterling Mabry, the brother of Luke's wife Catherine, whose passion for her is all consuming but who refuses to marry her, she thinks because she is a commoner but is actually for a very different reason. Because it is that secret waiting to be revealed that is the only real reason they cannot be together, this story lacked a little of the intensity of the other two for me, but there's more than enough additional drama to make up for it... The scene where Charles Dickens himself appears to do a Christmas reading neatly ties the fictional and the historical together. A great concept and a very enjoyable end to the three books. Well worth a read, especially if you love Dickens stories too!

Frannie and Sterling's tale is the one I've been itching to read. I love it and I can't wait to read James' story next.