Ace puzzle brings surprise (5)
I believe the answer is:
amaze
'surprise' is the definition.
(I know that amaze is a type of surprise)
'ace puzzle' is the wordplay.
'ace' becomes 'a'.
'puzzle' becomes 'maze' (maze can mean a puzzling situation).
'a'+'maze'='AMAZE'
'brings' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for amaze that I've seen before include "Flabbergast" , "Confound with wonder" , "Startle" , "Surprise greatly, astonish" , "Flummox" .)