England - 19th Century

Roselyn Longworth has made a horrible mistake. Her family's reputation was ruined when her younger brother fled to the continent to escape his debts. Roselyn allows herself to be wooed by the handsome Lord Norbury, and becomes his mistress. Unfortunately, soon afterwards, she discovers his true colors as a cruel and vicious man. Forced to attend a party at his country estate, she is horrified to find out that Norbury has imported women from a brothel to "entertain" his friends. As the evening grows ever more horrid, Norbury decides to auction Roselyn off to the highest bidder. To everyone's shock, however, the man who wins her is not one of the nobles, but the architect employed by Norbury's father, the earl. The man makes such an outlandishly ridiculous bid, it assures Roselyn that she will not go to one of Norbury's callous friends. But just who is this common man who would go to such lengths to have her?

Asked by Lord Norbury to bring the plans for the houses he is building on the earl's land, Kyle Bradwell just wants to get business done and leave. He has no use for Norbury, whom he knew as a child, and neither one much likes each other. When he's asked to remain for dinner, Kyle is disgusted at the pranks and behavior of his "betters," keeping his eyes all the while on the lovely blond woman sitting miserably at the table next to Norbury. When his host offers her up for auction, Kyle surprises even himself by making an extraordinary bid that trumps the rest and silences them all. He whisks the trembling, frightened woman out of the house and takes her to her relatives nearby. What is he going to do now? He is especially shaken when he discovers she is the sister of the man who nearly ruined his own family.

Kyle knows the real Norbury, and he understands more than Roselyn thinks he does of what she's been through. When Roselyn flees to her childhood home, living alone, tending the garden, and avoiding the rude stares of the villagers who found out about her affair, Kyle provides empathy and consideration that Roselyn feels she doesn't deserve. His visits are short, but she finds them soothing. With her reputation in tatters, though, her only recourse may be to find her errant brother and join him in exile. That is, until Kyle offers another solution.

SECRETS OF SURRENDER has two well-rounded, honorable people in Roselyn and Kyle. Despite their different classes, Roselyn sees Kyle as the principled, hardworking man that he is. His honest kindness and concern for her have humbled her completely. Kyle is the consummate hero, not perfect, but caring, wise, and compassionate to a fault. Will his solution to her problems be the answer? Can the secrets each of them hides drive a wedge between them?

Beautifully written and containing a cast of characters that provide a solid backdrop to this interesting and emotional story, SECRETS OF SURRENDER is a page-turner with an interesting ending. The passion and emotions run high, and readers will fall in love with Kyle, just as Roselyn does. Enjoy!

Jani Brooks