A Willing Surrender
1986
- fiction
- romance
- contemporary
The story
She was bewildered by her own reaction. Clary couldn't deny the attraction that flamed between herself and Morgan Caird when they met in England. But she didn't believe in love at first sight. Neither did she believe that a powerful, experienced man like Morgan would be permanently affected in the same way. So she refused to have anything to do with him and hurried home to New Zealand. Morgan proved her wrong. His pursuit was relentless, unavoidable, seductive—though she kept on fighting him. It took a long time for Clary to realize it was herself she was fighting—and that their love was real.
What it’s like
Warm, unhurried and sun-washed, this is a Harlequin-style romance from the mid-1980s, written in the brisk, sensual prose of its genre: crisp dialogue, close third person, and lush interiors that let the reader feel heat rising in a room. Its settings move between a grey English spring and the bright, wide-open landscapes of New Zealand, so the imagery leans toward drizzle on windows, then sunlit verandas, tall green paddocks and blue harbours. The vibe is light and swoony, a comfortable tug-of-war between pride and longing, best suited to a rainy afternoon, a comfort reread, or a long journey with a cup of tea. Pacing is steady and conversational, with the romantic tension built through glances, arguments and small confessions rather than external stakes. The emotional arc follows a proud, guarded woman slowly admitting that the feeling she has been resisting is real. Intensity is mild: sensual scenes are present and fairly frank for the period, but there is no violence, gore or cruelty. It is for readers who want an old-fashioned, gently steamy romance with a satisfying, reassuring ending.
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