I picked this book up because of a BR I was doing at the time with my friend Riddhi. I loved it at the beginning, not in the least because it felt difI picked this book up because of a BR I was doing at the time with my friend Riddhi. I loved it at the beginning, not in the least because it felt different than other Garwood novels. The more I read the more I could discern Garwood's usual voice in the novel. That's why I stopped reading at 50%. I picked this up again two months later and didn't put it down until I finished. And then I wondered why I had stopped reading it in the first place, because this was such a compelling read.
I realise now that it was a mistake to read another Garwood novel at the time. I've read most of Garwood's medievals but nothing else she's written and I've done so in a period of six months. Unfortunately, I am a reader that is easily bored, that's why it takes me ages to finish a series, no matter how short it is. I don't usually read books by the same writer close to each other. I truly envy those people who can read the whole backlist of an author, one book after the other. I know I will never be that reader. And to be honest, Garwood's medievals do feel a little like she's copy/pasted the characters from one book to the other. That doesn't mean they're not all excellent.
This is definitely on a par with the rest of the author's work and if it's your first Garwood novel, it will probably be a 5 star read. If, however, you're easily bored just like me, I advise you to not make the same mistake I did....more
Will I ever read a Julie Garwood book that's not a 5-star? I hope that the answer is a big NO. Why do I love Julie Garwood? Why does everybody love JuWill I ever read a Julie Garwood book that's not a 5-star? I hope that the answer is a big NO. Why do I love Julie Garwood? Why does everybody love Julie Garwood? If we think about it, I believe the answer is quite simple. There is nothing better, and I mean NOTHING, than Garwood's characters, heroes and heroines alike.
The heroines Garwood's heroines are wonderful women! They are sweet, funny, innocent, even naive at times, but at the same time strong, courageous, resourceful, witty, intelligent, loyal, selfless, confident but not selfish, dependable, adorable and all kinds of amazing women! That's exactly how Judith is. I love, love, love her! I wish she were my friend in real life. Or even better, I wish I were like her in real life!
The heroes Those are alpha males of the best kind. Strong, powerful, brave, loyal, kind, gentle, possessive, overbearing, sexy, big, muscular, supportive, fierce, fearsome. In case you're wondering, I did not just open up a dictionary. All these contradicting qualities combine to create the Garwood hero, in this case Iain, a male specimen that if existed in real life, all women would be in seventh heaven, flying on a cloud of glee and hapiness.
One will understand better Garwood's talent if they think about her stories. Really, just think about it. They are really simple. What's the story of the Secret? Similar to that of the The Bride, but even simpler. Judith's friend, Frances Catherine, is soon giving birth to a baby and she has asked for her friend. Iain, the clan's laird, has taken it on him to bring Judith to the Highlands. But spending too much time in her company is going to have consequences he never even imagined...
How so simple a story can turn into such a wonderful historical romance? This is the third book that I read by this author and, as I said before, this is probably the simplest of them all, but I loved it just the same, if not even better! It seems that in the end, it's all about the characters! Julie Garwood is a master in creating the most wonderful personalities. I won't say much. I have nothing else to say about this book. Just read the Secret and read Julie Garwood. Close your eyes and pick a book, because they are all excellent!...more
Honor's Splendour is my first book by Julie Garwood and it won't be the last!! I haven't read many medievals. My favorite historicals are regency but Honor's Splendour is my first book by Julie Garwood and it won't be the last!! I haven't read many medievals. My favorite historicals are regency but I will try to read as many of Mrs. Garwood's books I can.
The hero, Duncan, had a truce with the heroine's brother, Louddon, which Louddon violated. He attacked his fortresses, killing innocent people and he abused his sister, Adela. So the hero has formed a plan to capture Louddon's sister, Madelyne, to retaliate. The book starts with the hero at the courtyard of Louddon's fortress, tied in a post. Madelyne has decided to run away because she's had enough of her brother's abusive treatment of her. When she sees Duncan tied, she decides to save him and then run away. She didn't know, however, that Duncan's "captivity" was deliberate and all part of a plan to get to her. After she unties him, she warms his feet which leads to:
“Lady Madelyne had sealed her own fate. She'd warmed his feet.”
So the two of them gradually fall in love as the story progresses. I won't say anything more because I don't want to spoil it for anyone. At the beginning, I had some issues with the hero, as he was annoyingly arrogant and a little overbearing. He had good qualities, though, and was honorable, so as the story goes on I liked him more and more.
The best part of this book was the heroine. Clumsiness is Madelyne's middle name. She would hit the hero all the time, or fall down without even realising what happened. She was incapable of lying which leads to some pretty funny situations, when she will just say what she thinks because she just can't lie. At times, she was also so naive that she made me laugh. For example, when she kisses the hero for the first time, she asked him to forgive her because she took advantage of him!! I liked Madelyne's personality a lot. She was always trying to help others, even if it means she would have to risk her own life or put herself to the side. She was constantly trying to control her feelings, but she had a fiery temper, while all the time declaring what a gentle woman she was!! Madelyne was a real fun to watch!
The hero liked discipline and order and tried to live his life according to those principles. Madelyne was like a hurricane and really made a mess out of his life, but in the end, Duncan found out that he liked this mess just the same. He was always trying not to laugh with the heroine, but failing most times. Truth is, you can't help but fall in love with Madelyne.
There were also good secondary characters in this book. I really liked Duncan's friend, Gerald. All in all, I can say I'm impressed with Julie Garwood and I can't wait to read more of her novels....more
My second book by Julie Garwood and another 5-star read. The story is absolutely wonderful! What I love most about this book are the characters.
Alec iMy second book by Julie Garwood and another 5-star read. The story is absolutely wonderful! What I love most about this book are the characters.
Alec is quite arrogant and thinks he knows everything. I found that a little annoying at the beginning, especially when he was thinking that Jamie was just a woman and he didn't have to pay her any attention, but if you think that at the time women had no value whatsoever, you can easily forgive him. Truth is that he could be a great deal worse. Apart from annoying, it was also really funny, because Jamie knew how to answer back. I found it really intersesting how Julie Garwood managed to strike a balance between the different qualities in Alec's character. On the one hand he was arrogant and the typical overbearing male, but on the other hand, he was gentle, kind and one of the most supportive characters I've ever read about. He knew how to handle Jamie, how to make her feel better, when to challenge her, etc.
What I would like to stress about Julie Garwood is that she knows how to write great female characters. Jamie is strong, dependant, opinionated, stubborn and absolutely hilarious. It is hard not to love her. I love how she was always so loyal to her husband and the clan. She managed to make all the Scots love her, even though she was English. Even Edith and Marcus warmed up to her, eventually. I appreciated how Jamie saw the good qualities in her husband from the beginning despite the bad rumors about him having murdered his wife.
Jamie was so great that she managed to help her sister in her marriage, save a child from abusive relatives, cause 3 clan wars in a week and finally unite all the clans. And all that with a great amount of humor. You will laugh out loud many times!
I had some issues with Jamie's family. Her father was inexcusable in his behavior and descrimination among his daughters, forcing Jamie to take all responsibilities of the family on her shoulders. I hated Mary for using Jamie as a shield to save hershelf, and although she did improve later on, I never managed to forgive her completely.
The mystery about the murders was not so clear to me. Although I was not so surprised altogether when the truth was revealed, I have to admit I was quite confused about what was going on and was not so sure who was responsible for the murder attempts against Jamie's life.
The secondary characters were great as well. I loved Beak and the clansmen. My only complaint is that we know nothing about Helena. Did Alec love her or did he only feel responsible for her death. I can't understand why this information has been left out.
All in all, with her usual humor, Julie Garwood has given us another great story and I look forward to reading more of this author's works....more