Book Review-Rules of Surrender

Rules of Surrender
(The Governess Brides)
Christina Dodd
Avon, 369 Pages,
Published March 2000
Victorian Historical Romance
ISBN: 0-380-81197-9

Synopsis:
The Rules of Employment
for The Distinguished Academy of Governesses Always remember your station; after all, you are higher than the house servants but certainly not a member of the family. Be sure to maintain a disciplined schoolroom and to take your meals on a tray. And never become too familiar with the master of the house...

Rules of Behavior
Lady Charlotte Dalrumple is known as England's most proper governess, a woman who has never taken a misstep socially--or romantically. So, on the surface, she seems perfectly suited to accept the challenge of reforming English-born Lord Wynter Ruskin, sadly uncivilized by his travels abroad.

Rules of Seduction
But the ruggedly handsome man has no desire to be taught manners. He has glimpsed an uninhibited beauty hiding beneath her prim exterior, and he'd much rather spend his days--and nights--instructing her in the ways of love.

And when ardor erupts between them, Charlotte learns the pleasures of desire and Wynter the passions of the heart, but before they can love both must first master the...

My Review:
It starts out with Lady Charlotte Dalrumple who is a governess, and one of the more proper ones. When a client comes in asking her to be a governess to her grandchildren, who are as she put it "savages" and needed to be put in society, well Charlotte agree's, wanting a change from helping young ladies with their come out's into society. So she is ready to accept that challenge of reforming her grandchildren. When she arrives at Autsinpark Manor, she is surprised to find that Lord Wynter Ruskin is there to meet them, and as she can tell he just as uncivilized as his two adorable children are. Lord Wynter Ruskin, ran away from home at the age of fifteen and went to explore the world filled with adventure. Of course it didn't all turn out as he had planned. He ended up back in England for the sake of his children, when his wife passed away. Even though they had known freedoms in living abroad and having no British social structure to restict anything from them. However, Charlotte takes the children in hand with grace, and naturally they fall in love with her. Having lost their own mother, and feeling out of place and very rebellious, they endear themselves to her influence. As time goes on, she realizes that the children aren't the only ones that she has to help get into society's good graces, namely Lordy Wynter Ruskin. She finds herself surrendering to the passion that builds between them, and as the society lessons go onward, she finds herself falling in love with the handsome Lord who has captivated her heart and body.

I love reading from Christina Dodd, she always brings out such a vitality to the reader, that I kept thirsting for more. I don't think I could ever get enough of her books. From the first page I fell in love with both Charlotte and Wynter, and the two children had me smiling from one page to the next. There was never a dull moment in this one. It had such a vibrance to the romance and passion between Charlotte and Wynter, that made my heart stutter with anticipation. It was definitely a treat to read Rules of Surrender and I truly fell in love with this book, the characters, the plot, the love story was endearing.

My Grade For This Book
4.5 Blossoms

Other Books In The Series 
Rules of Engagement
Rules of Attraction
In My Wildest Dreams
Lost In Your Arms
My Favorite Bride
The Third Suitor
My Fair Temptress
In Bed With The Duke