Ransom

Rating:
Summary: Audio Book = 1 star; Book Version = 5 stars
Review: I was so enthralled with the book Ransom that I promptly went out and bought the audio book version for my commute. I've purchased many abridged audio books, and though I understand the need for editing to fit the book on a specific number of tapes -- the story lines have always stayed true to the heart of the author's book version. Not true for Ransom and I am terribly disappointed. The abridgement changes the context of the book. The time spent on describing the importance of Arianna's box should have been spent on describing Gillian's fear and pain. The importance of visiting the woman's house to heal her arm is gone -- no mention of the attempt on her life. Even the discovering of the traitor -- changed, much to my disappointment. The actress reading for the audio book has a monotone through-out the tapes that does nothing to express the desire, fear, excitement or thrill that Ms. Garwood wrote in Ransom. Stick with the bound book version and stay away from the audio book.

Rating:
Summary: A True Romance - One of Garwood's Best
Review: I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down. The heroine - Gillian - was full of courage and didn't back down when faced with problems. Laird Buchanen - the hero - is all man - but you can feel how much he cares for Gillian. At the same time - there are 3 or 4 other storylines taking place that culminate in the resolution of Gillian's main problem - will she get to see her sister? does she find the treasure? how will she get Alec to his home after he is kidnapped? who is the traitor to the Sinclairs? and more! I read this book in 2 sittings - and it left me feeling happy!

Rating:
Summary: Garwood Delivers Yet Again!
Review: I anticipated this book when I heard the slightest mention of it's release. To my own emmense satisfaction, this book lived up to it's level of excellence as with every other Julie Garwood romance. I found Gillian to be one of the best heroines I have ever met, she is brave, honest, loving, and loyal. I came in expecting only the best, and am glad to say Julie Garwood delivered just that.

Rating:
Summary: Ransom
Review: I'm a fan of Ms. Garwood, but please madame, try to enforce some shrewdness into your heroine's character. Gillian just irritated and upset me throughout the novel. She is described as having a strong character, but does nothing to emphasize this. I found her dense, very slow in the brain, and lacking, especially when the priest was marrying her to the hero (couldn't she get the hint that she was getting married, how stupid can a person be!) As for the hero, I must admit that for the setting of the story, he was described in such a way that did justice to his character as a Scottish laird, even if all he wanted to do was to get her in the sack.

Rating:
Summary: Ransom doesn't live up
Review: I am a huge Julie Garwood fan, I buy her books as soon as they are published. I have recently read Ransom for the second time, I knew I was disappointed the first time but I couldn't put my finger on why. Well, I figured it out! My main problem is with Gillian, she is made out to be this strong woman with thoughts and opinions of her own, but she never demonstrates to the reader any actions to back that up. I miss the heroines like Judith from "The Secret" Strong characters need to do more than think strong thoughts they need to take actions too! I am still looking forward to reading Ms. Garwoods next book, hopefully it will be more fulfilling!

Rating:
Summary: Annette, CA
Review: My aunt persuaded me to read this book. I am not a big fan of Romance but I gave it a try. Did this book change my mind about this geanre? No, not really. The characters seem very undeveloped - the author told us upfront what they thought and felt rather than letting them convey it through their actions. Brodick is very rude and primitive. All that comes to mind is that he talks "gruffly" - that word was used 98 times to describe him (and that is only where I bothered to count). As for poor Gillian, she is just too irritating even to talk about. To wrap it all up -- NOT an interesting read. (Sorry Gulie Garwood..)

Rating:
Summary: Not Ms. Garwood's Best
Review: This was the first ever Julie Garwood book that I picked up, and so I didn't have anything to really compare it to. If you have never read any of the author's books, you may like this one. Otherwise, you'll find it dissapointing. It doesn't hold a candle to The Secret or The Bride, as I found after I read those two. As far as characters go, I was left feeling unfulfilled. Brodick was a perfect supporting actor in The Secret, but here he doesn't seem to carry his own. His dialogue is slow and there is little of it. I was left with the feeling that he was not very intelligent: all brawn and little brain. Not the kind of hero I look for. The heroine was also dissapointing. Gillian wasn't exactly winy, but she allowed herself to get slapped around too much. She wasn't the quick-witted, tart-tongued, well-intentioned meddler that I have come to expect from Ms. Garwood. What I found most disappointing was the lack of humor. I have laughed out loud at the antics of several Garwood heroines, but this one doesn't seem to deliver. Few laughs, obvious villain, and an all too predictable plot. Final verdict: This is a bum read. Pick up The Bride instead, and prepare to laugh til you cry.

Rating:
Summary: ...jusr miserable
Review: This book promotes everything that a woman should not be: stupid and submissive. I am sad for Gillian, I am totally repulsed by Broderick - a possessive and rude pig, and I am bored by the book that reaks of a day-time soap (you know what is going to happen 10 pages in advance). I am sorry, Ms. Garwood if this is an ideal love for you for it surely seems like an abuse to me. I am truely sad that women still find books like that exciting and interesting.

Rating:
Summary: Margaret, Australia
Review: This is the second book to a series, the first is The Secret.This book will not disappoint any fan.I am so glad that she wrote a story on Brodick Buchanan, as I loved his character in The Secret. Although it would have been nice if Ramsey Sinclair had his own book.

Rating:
Summary: It made me very sad...
Review: Good God! This was the first book of Ms. Garwood I ever looked at and I swear it will be my last! I can't believe something so shallow and unbelievably cheezy still gets published! All the characters do is look at each other, sigh, rapidly hug and kiss and realize over and over and over that they are in love...It was so tacky I couldn't force myself to finish. This is housewife's bliss! All that's missing is Fabio on the cover.