The Laird

Rating:
Summary: Put off completely
Review: I enjoyed the reviews of this book so much I couldn't wait to get it - not after my first book by this new (to me) author, The Vow, which was excellent.

And this could have been the same EXCEPT FOR THE DIALECT! and I admit the review did say "...language thickened by a Scottish brogue..." but hoping against hope I continued.

This 'och-aye' type of pseudo-scottish dialect puts me off so much - why, why, why do authors insist on using 'Scottish' dialect? We never have to read pseudo-Norman French dialect like "Ma cheri you is bootifool." do we? So why do American authors constantly toy with their idea of what 'Scottish' did/does sound like?

Nothing but a distraction and detraction from the story - Sorry - very disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: 3 star-effort only from Juliana G.
Review: I was surprised to realize that this novel is actually a later effort than the author's own "The Scotsman". At times, it reads like a first draft of an earlier work. Some of the themes and motivations from "The Scotsman" are re-used and re-worked here, also. Is the author losing her edge?

However, that's not to say it's bad. Rob, the hero, the "Laird" of the title, is very strongly written and his characterization is perfect. The plot certainly moves right along. The heroine, I thought, could have been more individual. She's not totally blah, but there is something less than special about her. Unfortunately, while reading the novel, I kept thinking of her as Janet, not Judith which is her proper name. When you can't remember a heroine's name while reading the book, that says something!

I also have to say that I thought the hero's losing ALL his brothers, while apparently a historical accuracy, was a bit much for a romance novel. The hero's and his father's period of mourning, and the intense pain of such a loss, seemed too shortchanged.

I would still recommend the book, but I suggest the author's "The Scotsman" is the better novel. It contains many of the same themes & conflicts and is clearly the better-edited novel.

Rating:
Summary: 3 star-effort only from Juliana G.
Review: I was surprised to realize that this novel is actually a later effort than the author's own "The Scotsman". At times, it reads like a first draft of an earlier work. Some of the themes and motivations from "The Scotsman" are re-used and re-worked here, also. Is the author losing her edge?

However, that's not to say it's bad. Rob, the hero, the "Laird" of the title, is very strongly written and his characterization is perfect. The plot certainly moves right along. The heroine, I thought, could have been more individual. She's not totally blah, but there is something less than special about her. Unfortunately, while reading the novel, I kept thinking of her as Janet, not Judith which is her proper name. When you can't remember a heroine's name while reading the book, that says something!

I also have to say that I thought the hero's losing ALL his brothers, while apparently a historical accuracy, was a bit much for a romance novel. The hero's and his father's period of mourning, and the intense pain of such a loss, seemed too shortchanged.

I would still recommend the book, but I suggest the author's "The Scotsman" is the better novel. It contains many of the same themes & conflicts and is clearly the better-edited novel.

Rating:
Summary: 3 star-effort only from Juliana G.
Review: I was surprised to realize that this novel is actually a later effort than the author's own "The Scotsman". At times, it reads like a first draft of an earlier work. Some of the themes and motivations from "The Scotsman" are re-used and re-worked here, also. Is the author losing her edge?

However, that's not to say it's bad. Rob, the hero, the "Laird" of the title, is very strongly written and his characterization is perfect. The plot certainly moves right along. The heroine, I thought, could have been more individual. She's not totally blah, but there is something less than special about her. Unfortunately, while reading the novel, I kept thinking of her as Janet, not Judith which is her proper name. When you can't remember a heroine's name while reading the book, that says something!

I also have to say that I thought the hero's losing ALL his brothers, while apparently a historical accuracy, was a bit much for a romance novel. The hero's and his father's period of mourning, and the intense pain of such a loss, seemed too shortchanged.

I would still recommend the book, but I suggest the author's "The Scotsman" is the better novel. It contains many of the same themes & conflicts and is clearly the better-edited novel.

Rating:
Summary: clever use of historical facts within a warm romance
Review: In 1327 the war between the Scottish and English monarchy heats up and impacts everyone in both lands. Robert Campbell knows how deadly the fight is becoming, having lost family members to his dangerous foes. Still he successfully captures Mairi, the child-fiancee to a powerful rival. In addition to his young prisoner, Robert also incarcerates Mairi's guardian, her widowed aunt by marriage Judith Lindsay.

Robert quickly finds Judith an exciting, intelligent, and brave person protecting her charge like a lioness would with a cub. He knows he should feel contempt for her, but instead is gentle towards both of his prisoners. As Robert and Judith fall in love and war creeps closer, one must wonder if their feelings are simply the Stockholm Effect that will end if she returns home.

Though this era is most likely one of the five most written periods in romance novels, fans will enjoy and admire THE LAIRD for its clever blending of numerous historical tidbits and people within a cross-starred lovers' story line. The characters bring to life the early fourteenth century as a background to Robert and Judith growing need for one another. The support cast augments the plot by providing the reader with deep insight into the protagonists and a microscopic look back at a bygone era. Though structured like many other fourteenth century novels, Juliana Garnett furnishes a jewel of a book that will gratify historical romance readers immensely.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: clever use of historical facts within a warm romance
Review: In 1327 the war between the Scottish and English monarchy heats up and impacts everyone in both lands. Robert Campbell knows how deadly the fight is becoming, having lost family members to his dangerous foes. Still he successfully captures Mairi, the child-fiancee to a powerful rival. In addition to his young prisoner, Robert also incarcerates Mairi's guardian, her widowed aunt by marriage Judith Lindsay.

Robert quickly finds Judith an exciting, intelligent, and brave person protecting her charge like a lioness would with a cub. He knows he should feel contempt for her, but instead is gentle towards both of his prisoners. As Robert and Judith fall in love and war creeps closer, one must wonder if their feelings are simply the Stockholm Effect that will end if she returns home.

Though this era is most likely one of the five most written periods in romance novels, fans will enjoy and admire THE LAIRD for its clever blending of numerous historical tidbits and people within a cross-starred lovers' story line. The characters bring to life the early fourteenth century as a background to Robert and Judith growing need for one another. The support cast augments the plot by providing the reader with deep insight into the protagonists and a microscopic look back at a bygone era. Though structured like many other fourteenth century novels, Juliana Garnett furnishes a jewel of a book that will gratify historical romance readers immensely.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Rich historical details with smoldering passion
Review: It is 1327 at Lochawe, Scotland. Robert Campbell, the laird of Glenlyon pleads his misguided father Angus to retract his fealty to Lord Arygll and jettison the notion of assisting him in capturing the Claddel child-bride to his rival. He thinks his son a traitor and leads Robert's brothers to a scheme that went awry. Lady Judith and Mairi are captured at the expense of his brothers' lives and thus the recipents of his frustrations.

Yet Lady Judith is surprisingly clear-headed and virtuous, and equally as fiery and passionate to summon Rob's ineffable attraction. When the Lochawe populace and his father Angus suspects that Lady Judith practises witchery, Robert is spurred to rescue her to Glenlyon and secures her to a handfasting marriage to keep her safe.

The romance blossoms in the midst of the throes of war between Bruce the COnqueror and King Edward. Told with painstaking historical details, the fable becomes grippingly real with the robust battles and political machinations. The highland romance is atmopherically structured with clan clashes and raid as well as treasonous enemies who threaten the transcient happiness of Judith and Rob. Ms. Garnett weaves her sterling characters in dilemmas to explore their strengths. Lady Judith is courageous to defy her destiny and Rob is hardened by betrayal and later softened by her love. They compliment each other in passion as well as wits.

The Laird is as authentic as it gets and is a vicarious visit to premordial Scotland. Even the language Ms. Garnett uses is thickened with Scottish brogue. The Laird is a splendid account of fiction and true historical tableau, complete with smoldering passion and memorable characters that will grow on you like fine Scottish ale.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful story!!
Review: This author never disappoints! Loved the characters and the rich historical detail.