The Secret

Rating:
Summary: The Wedding
Review: It was a great book. I love Julie Garwood's books. I'm not a good writer, but I needed the tell all the further readers to read this book.

Rating:
Summary: Helping me overcome my romance novel prejudices...
Review: I had a hard time putting this one down. I praise it above most romance novels for the simple reason that it doesn't follow any of the 'rules' or 'formulas' that are so obvious in most of the genre.

First, there's more than one plot weaving through this novel, and each is interesting, well-developed, and important to the story. Second, each of the many characters is well-developed, fascinating, and human--with motives, emotions, and drives that resonate and draw you into the story.

I hate when romance novelists force a contrived reason to keep the lovers apart, or when they insist on writing heavy-handed, hot and heavy love scenes--words like 'manrod,' 'creamy white thighs,' and 'luscious breasts' are nowhere to be found, thankfully. Those types of romance novels insult my intelligence, and leave me amused but completely uninterested.

This is the story of a strong woman, taking a great risk for a friend and hoping to find some answers for herself by leaving England to go to the Scottish Highlands. She is escorted by a strong, handsome laird. And the scene is set for romance...but the romance is almost incidental--which is what I praise so highly, because the subplots are so much more interesting than a simple boy-meets-girl saga could ever be. There is intrigue, conflict, fears and angers, politics, and play, and any number of twists and turns that kept me reading long into the night.

Basically, it's just good fiction--well-written, great story, great setting, and it just happens to include a gripping love story as well. I am thrilled to have discovered Julie Garwood, for this novel and the promise of her others as well. I'm already half way through another Garwood novel, 'The Ransom,' that features another Highlands Laird, a character from 'The Secret,' and am thrilled that there are a number of novels featuring members of the clans that are introduced in 'The Secret.'

Rating:
Summary: top 3 of my favorite books of all times
Review: Wow! This book is definitely a keeper! I have reread this more than 5 times and still get the same reaction. It is excitingly a page turner. This book brings about all sorts of emotions, from the beginning to the end, no boring scenes whatsoever! The friendship of Frances Catherine & Judith is impressively well designed. The adjustment of Judith to the Highland ways & how the people reacted to her was surely a roller coster, mixed emotions-which I find utterly heart quenching. Of couse, not to forget the hero/heroine... The love story of Iain & Judith completely warms my heart, they are both different yet perfect for each other. Even the secondary characters, all uniquely described and well written. The friendships, trust & loyalty, the love and acceptance...all made this book a perfect 10. 5 stars rating is simply an understatement. J.G. have outdone herself this time!

Sequel: RANSOM - Another perfect story. A must read after SECRET.

Note: I would like to enumerate some scenes that makes this book a perfect 10 for me but it's not fair to mention only one or even two, as I find all situations/scenes, even the smallest of all.... interesting, hilarious, exciting, tear jerker & endearing in its own magical ways. This book is worth your time! READ IT.

Rating:
Summary: This book is worth every penny and then some...
Review: I love this book! Julie Garwood's Historicals continue to have the highest rating in my "Who's Who of Romance". Judith is a complete and interesting heroine. And what can I say about our hero, Iain, but YUMMM...MMMMY. The story is very tight and you hate for it to end. Read it, you'll love it and you'll keep it!

Rating:
Summary: The Secret is spectacular!!!
Review: Julie Garwood has done it again with a book i couldnt put down!! The romance she has bloom between Judith and Ian is a wonderful reflection for that time period. Two characters from such different worlds brought together, Ian with all his ruggedness and aloof personality of a Scottish laird gets melted though he tries to fight it, by Judiths warmth,compassion and beauty.(and not to forget her strong will)And at every turn in this book there is something happening that you cant put it down!!

Rating:
Summary: First Garwood novel I've read...
Review: ...and it won't be the last! I loved the story about Judith going from England accompanied by Laird Maitland to the Highlands to help her lifelong friend Frances Catherine with the birth of her first child. The story just keeps getting better after that once Judith and Iain find out they are in love with one another. My favourite part was the wedding ceremony. It was hysterically funny. I've read this book a couple of times, and plan to read it a couple of times more!

Rating:
Summary: Good- not great, but good.
Review: Having already read Ransom before I started Secret, I knew the fate of many of the characters and sort of spoiled the surprises that would have been in store for those who read the books in the correct order. Still, it added an extra sparkle to the plot to read the history of some only vaguely outlined characters whose past seemed to somehow foreshadow the outcome of Ransom. So why the so-so rating? Well, when I read the title and then the teaser on the back, I'll admit I was confused, drawn, intrigued. Secret? I asked. Secret? What could he possibly have done to her, or to her mother? (I won't answer that question in public writing, but you get the idea) Ransom had been wonderful, and while some of Garwood's other books had been let downs, why would this book not follow (or should I say, set) the traditions that made Ransom so wonderful? I loved the common Highland setting, don't get me wrong, but for a romance that's supposed to have some urgency to it, some 'umph', Secret fell flat. I recognize that there had to be something beside kissing and other- ahem, activities- to make the book even remotely near the standards of 'respectable literature', and while the 'secret' of Judith's heritage held promise for great pain and reconciliation between the respective Clans, I found that Garwood just didn't develop it to its true potential. And then there was that semi-fiasco at the end, a twisted bit of manuevering if I ever saw one. I mean, it really would have added to the climax potential if this 'rebellion' had occurred before the little meeting with the Maclean Laird, with Judith's kidnapping to force the Clan to band together again to save her, or face the world knowing that her blood or pain really did lie at their feet because they couldn't resolve their own problems. Garwood really should have made the war between the Clans more evident, more riveting, rather than overemphasizing the various relationships. Still, first prize on the friendship between Frances Catherine and Judith, and I really do love her arrogant Scottish Lairds. A worthy effort, but still not up to Ransom's quality.

Rating:
Summary: absolutly terrific
Review: I read this book just two days ago, the truth is once i opened the book to read it, i couldn't stop! i spent all the night reading it until i finished with it. It was really good, actually one of my favorites, it opened my eyes to many things. i think you should read it! and to those who read it, don't miss "Ransom", another cool book. it has a part about their son Alec Maitland.

Rating:
Summary: Exquisite
Review: The first book I read from Julie Garwood's collection was The Wedding and ever since then I became obsessed with her books. I had this urgent need to find all her books and just get lost in those tales...and I did. Her Scottish novels intrigued me and I will never get bored with them. This book, the Secret, has held a special place in my heart ever since I finished it. It made me smile when the Judith and Frances Catherine were young and their first meeting was filled with childish believes and how the screaming started from one child to another. It got me all warmed up to read how a warrior, all tough and invincible, can soften towards a beautiful woman. It certainly made me laughed when Judith was to be married to Iain....you would too when you get to that part. And all other parts of the book. It is a place away from reality, a place where love and all silly things can happen...it will take more than just a tap on the shoulder to put those books down...my eyes did not leave the words until I was at the last page. You will sign in content.

Rating:
Summary: The Secret by Julie Garwood
Review: I was in the library in between classes one day and not interested in studying, so I browsed the paperback section for something to read to kill time. I noticed this book, grabbed it and starting reading it. Needless to say, I could not put the book down. I finished my classes for the day, went straight home and finished the book.

This was the first book I had read by Julie Garwood. She has heroines you cannot help but fall in love with. They are regular people that get themselves into difficult situations, especially the character from this book, "Judith", who travels into the Highlands from England to help her best friend birth her child.

I recommend all of Julie Garwood's books. I have copies of all of her books. I reread several of them at least every year, especially the following selections:

Prince Charming, Castles, Guardian Angel, Ransom (a sequel to The Secret), The Bride, Honor's Splendour and Saving Grace.

You cannot go wrong with Julie Garwood!