Honor’s Splendour by Julie Garwood

3.5 Stars

I always round my stars up, but if I could I would give this book 3.5 stars. It was better than average in the story line and very good writing style, but at times it seemed to drag. The narration is done with third person omniscient. It is a little odd at times to go back and forth from one paragraph to the next in these characters minds.

Summary:

Baron Duncan Wexton has vengeance in mind when he goes to Baron Louddon’s fortress unarmed. He has a plan, but Louddon’s sister has one of her own. She quickly aids Duncan in his escape and in so doing puts herself right where Duncan wants her. Besides his other plans, he came to take Madelyne with him. She wanted away from Louddon anyway so she goes with Duncan but still plans to make her way to Scotland.

Thoughts:

Anyone can see what will happen next. Of course our fair maiden falls for our handsome, fierce warrior. And our warrior finds his world turned upside down. This predictability didn’t detract from the storyline at all. In fact, I needed them to fall for each other. If they didn’t, I should be thoroughly put out. Madelyne was constantly telling everyone that she was a gentle lady. And then things would come out of her mouth like this:

“You can rid yourself of that frown, Edmond, or I promise God I’ll smack it right off your face.”

Of course there is more to the story. Louddon has his own plans for Madelyne and won’t give her up. Hearing her talk about her worthlessness was very sad to read it would make my stomach drop. Soon, Madelyne had charmed everyone in Duncan’s fortress and she gained self worth. I absolutely loved the beginning and the end, but the middle was a bit long.

Favorite Quote: (this is between Duncan and his brother Edmond)

“It’s a shame you know,” he called over his shoulder.

“What’s a shame?” Duncan asked.

“That I didn’t capture her first.”

Duncan smiled. “Nay, Edmond, it was a blessing. God’s truth, I would have taken her from you.”

Ransom by Julie Garwood (The Highland Laird's #2)

5 Stars

This book was delightful.  It has been a few months since I read the first book in the series (The Secret).  The first book follows Iain Maitland and the troubles that pursue Judith.  This book follows two Lairds, Ramsey Sinclair and Brodick Buchanan, whom we met in the first book. 

Gillian is English and in big trouble.  The man who killed her father says that he will also kill her uncle if she doesn’t find her long lost sister and the king’s treasure that she is hiding.  On top of that, Baron Alford (evil murderous English bad guy) now has a small child in his possession that she knows he will kill when he discovers the truth about him.  She must make her escape with the boy and find her sister and the treasure before the fall festival or her uncle dies.  She ends up in the hands of the brutal Laird Buchanan who also happens to be the guardian for the small boy.  He wants revenge for the insult, but Gillian can’t allow him to interfere until her uncle is safe. 

Bridgid is a member of Ramsey Sinclair’s clan and becomes fast friends with Gillian.  The two end up in trouble repeatedly and drive both Ramsey and Brodick crazy. 

My favorite part about this book was the dialogue between Brodick and Gillian and Bridgid and Ramsey.  There was quite a few sections that I would re-read because it was either funny or sweet. 

I can’t wait to get my hands on my next Julie Garwood. 

Favorite quote:

This is when Brodick and Gillian first meet:

He smiled.  “Nay, lass, they came to steal you, and that, you see, is an insult I cannot allow.”

The Secret by Julie Garwood

4 stars
This was my first Julie Garwood novel and like another book I just read it has an omniscient narrator.  I enjoyed it and plan to read more of her novels.  There appears to be many, many, many of them out there for me to get my grubby little hands on. 

Judith is English and only four years old when she meets her best friend, Frances Catherine who is Scottish.  Neither of them understood they should hate each other and by the time they did they were besties for life.  Frances Catherine ended up marrying a highlander and is pregnant.  Judith promised to be by her friend’s side when she gave birth.  The problem is that the clan that Frances Catherine married into is very closed off from outsiders and very set in their ways.  Frances Catherine had to do some pleading and petitioning in order to get her friend to be able to visit. 

It just so happens that Frances Catherine married the Laird’s brother and it is in fact the Laird who ends up going to get Judith.  It is no secret that Judith and Iain Maitland (the aforementioned Laird) struggle to resist their attraction.  Their dynamics are quite comical at times and Iain expects to be obeyed always and immediately and Judith has a bit of fire in her blood. 

I loved all the characters.  They were likeable (except when they weren’t meant to be, like Agnes, I am sure glad that she got what was coming to her) and three dimensional.  I loved Gelfrid and Graham (two of the elders) and how Judith had to be careful with their pride, but was able none the less to win them over and make much needed changes to the clan. 

The biggest problem turns out not to be that Judith is English, but actually that she is only half English and her father is an enemy of the Maitlands.  Iain knows this to begin with, but Judith doesn’t know that Iain knows (I hope you followed that!).   

Favorite Quote (there were many amusing parts, this is just one, although it occurs to me that one might need to know the context: As little girls Frances Catherine told Judith that women get pregnant when they drink from a man’s goblet after they have spit into it):

“I specifically remember we both promised never to drink from any man’s goblet of wine.  From the looks of you, Frances Catherine, I’m thinking you broke your word.”