Helpful Score: 4
Romantic Scottish Highland story! Really enjoyed it because the hero wasn't TOO pushy and the heroine wasn't TOO wimpy or TOO pushy herself. 5 stars.
Helpful Score: 3
This book reminded me a bit of Garwood's The Wedding, but had a much more serious tone. The heroine had been brutally abused, both mentally/emotionally, and physically by her husband. And, the medeival church men told her that she was last in God's love, after dim-witted oxen. Its a terrible picture of the way that women were at one time viewed as chattel, incapable of making thier own decisions, and as lesser, just for being born female. As much as the love story was moving, the story beneath is also very intriguing.
Recommmended, but not as lighthearted as The Wedding.
Recommmended, but not as lighthearted as The Wedding.
I absolutely love this book, but I finally got a hardcover edition & can now post my PB copy.
The "heroine" is outspoken & bold. The "hero" is strong & a bit controlling... but the story WORKS!! The "steamy" scenes aren't too much (IMHO) but keep the story going by helping to explain the relationship.
A KEEPER!!
The "heroine" is outspoken & bold. The "hero" is strong & a bit controlling... but the story WORKS!! The "steamy" scenes aren't too much (IMHO) but keep the story going by helping to explain the relationship.
A KEEPER!!
Helpful Score: 2
another awesome read from Garwood - the undertones of humor are my favorite parts!
Helpful Score: 1
This is one of my favorite Julie Garwood books. I have read this book over many times and would recommend this to anyone.
Helpful Score: 1
English Baron Nicholas Sanders approached Gabriel MacBain, Laird to his clan, with a proposal. If Gabriel will marry Nicholas' newly widowed sister, he will once again own the Scottish property that he calls home. After her first abusive marriage, Lady Johanna doesn't want to marry anyone, including the handsome Laird her brother picked. But she soon comes to understand that under his gruff manner is a man of integrity and warmth. Gabriel is unprepared for the spitfire his wife turns out to be, especially when she decides that his warriors need to learn some manners.
I always enjoy Julie Garwood's historical romances. In this one we have a young woman who has been abused physically and emotionally, deciding to take charge of her life. She won't let her new husband keep her locked up in his fortress just because he thinks she needs to be protected. Both Johanna and Gabriel were fantastic characters. I also loved the many secondary characters from Johanna's brother, Nicholas, to Gabriel's young son. I think Garwood could of easily written a sequel using some of the interesting people in the book. The story also has some hilarious scenes where Johanna decides to teach her husband's warriors some manners. I laughed out loud at some parts of this book. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
I always enjoy Julie Garwood's historical romances. In this one we have a young woman who has been abused physically and emotionally, deciding to take charge of her life. She won't let her new husband keep her locked up in his fortress just because he thinks she needs to be protected. Both Johanna and Gabriel were fantastic characters. I also loved the many secondary characters from Johanna's brother, Nicholas, to Gabriel's young son. I think Garwood could of easily written a sequel using some of the interesting people in the book. The story also has some hilarious scenes where Johanna decides to teach her husband's warriors some manners. I laughed out loud at some parts of this book. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
Very good book. Couldn't put it down.
I really enjoyed this book. It's very much in the vein of other Julie Garwood books - taciturn warrior hero meets innocent, stubborn heroine - but the characters were likeable and the problems they encounter were interesting and well-drawn. I highly recommend for a light, engaging read.
This is the frist book I read by Julie Garwood and loved it, I have since read all of her books. In this book you have a Women who is widow from a very mean man, and hold a secert that could destory her king or get her killed. Her brother , in order to keep her safe has her marry a Scottish laird.Johanna laern to trust herself and learn what love really is. This story is full of wit and tenderness. A very good book
GREAT I ENJOYED THIS BOOK
What a great story. Gabriel is Johanna's protector, boy does she need one and yes a sequel to this book is so needed to follow Johanna's brother and new wife love story! Anyways, I do so love how Gabriel shows his love to Johanna but doesn't say it, and I love how Johanna accepts Gabriel as he is. My favorite part of this book is at the end the speech Johanna gives to her ex-husband. I had to reread several times. You will love this story.
I read this book quiet a while back but I remember it was absolutely terrific. I'm sure anyone who enjoys a really good historical romance will appreciate it.
I like her books and this one is a great one to lose yourself in.
love her books! this one is one my favorite.
Julie Garwood at her best! A touching, funny book.
This is the first Julie Garwood book that I ever read, and it hooked me from the beginning. Great book.
This is one of my favorite Garwood books...great story and characters!
This book is wonderful, you will not want to miss this wonderful story. Excellent characters and storyline, non-stop action and tension. A really great read.
Great author, great book, fast paced
When Lady Johanna learns that her husband has died, she rejoices since he was abusive. But when King John demends that she remarries, her beloved foster brother suggests she wed his friend the handsome Scottish warrior Gabriel MacBain. As the pairs love blossoms, a royal intrigrue threatens to tear her from his side and destroy the man she has come to love....
Any Julie Garwood is a worthy read.
One of my favorites by Julie Garwood.
From Publishers Weekly
Set in 13th-century England and Scotland, this rollicking adventure is among Garwood's ( The Bride ) most enjoyable. The news that her despicable husband is dead has left beautiful 16-year-old Lady Johanna both wealthy and available. Wicked King John wants to marry her to one of his henchmen, but her beloved foster brother convinces the powerful highland laird Gabriel MacBain to put aside his natural repugnance for all things English and wed the girl. Emotionally scarred by her first marriage, Johanna is intimidated both by her strange surroundings and by the outsized, gruff laird; but with the help of an eccentric old soldier and MacBain's illegitimate son, Johanna learns to hold her own with the soldiers, their wives and her new husband. Then an unwelcome surprise tests her newfound courage. Garwood endows the novel with a first-rate setting, a splendid supporting cast and witty dialogue that more than offsets the rote predictability of Johanna's great beauty and MacBain's forceful charisma.
Set in 13th-century England and Scotland, this rollicking adventure is among Garwood's ( The Bride ) most enjoyable. The news that her despicable husband is dead has left beautiful 16-year-old Lady Johanna both wealthy and available. Wicked King John wants to marry her to one of his henchmen, but her beloved foster brother convinces the powerful highland laird Gabriel MacBain to put aside his natural repugnance for all things English and wed the girl. Emotionally scarred by her first marriage, Johanna is intimidated both by her strange surroundings and by the outsized, gruff laird; but with the help of an eccentric old soldier and MacBain's illegitimate son, Johanna learns to hold her own with the soldiers, their wives and her new husband. Then an unwelcome surprise tests her newfound courage. Garwood endows the novel with a first-rate setting, a splendid supporting cast and witty dialogue that more than offsets the rote predictability of Johanna's great beauty and MacBain's forceful charisma.
A story of a young Englishwoman determined to fight for her freedom..a woman whose life would be transformed by the rare unexpecteed gift of love.
Julie Garwood is a splendid author and one of my favorites.
Julie Garwood is a splendid author and one of my favorites.
Julie Garwood's gloriously romantic, breathtakingly passionate novels have made her one of America's most beloved romance authors. Now she brings us the compelling story of a young Englishwoman determined to fight for her freedom...a woman whose life would be transformed by the rare, unexpected gift of love.
When Lady Johanna learned that she was a widow, she vowed she would never marry again. Only sixteen, already she possessed a strength of will that impressed all who looked past her golden-haired beauty. Yet when King John demanded that she remarry - and selected a bridegroom for her - it seemed she must acquiesce, until her beloved foster brother suggested she wed his friend, the handsome Scottish warrior Gabriel MacBain.
At first Johanna was shy, but as Gabriel tnederly revealed the splendid pleasures they would share, she came to suspect that she was falling in love with her gruff new husband. And it was soon apparent to the entire Highlands clan that their brusque, gallant laird had surrendered his heart completely. But now a desperate royal intrigue threatened to tear her from his side - and to destroy the man whose love meant more to her than she had ever dreamed!
"(With) timely subjects set against a timeless background...romance writer Julie Garwood attracts readers like beautiful heroines attract dashing heroes." - USA Today
"Romance fans will be demanding SAVING GRACE." - Library Journal
When Lady Johanna learned that she was a widow, she vowed she would never marry again. Only sixteen, already she possessed a strength of will that impressed all who looked past her golden-haired beauty. Yet when King John demanded that she remarry - and selected a bridegroom for her - it seemed she must acquiesce, until her beloved foster brother suggested she wed his friend, the handsome Scottish warrior Gabriel MacBain.
At first Johanna was shy, but as Gabriel tnederly revealed the splendid pleasures they would share, she came to suspect that she was falling in love with her gruff new husband. And it was soon apparent to the entire Highlands clan that their brusque, gallant laird had surrendered his heart completely. But now a desperate royal intrigue threatened to tear her from his side - and to destroy the man whose love meant more to her than she had ever dreamed!
"(With) timely subjects set against a timeless background...romance writer Julie Garwood attracts readers like beautiful heroines attract dashing heroes." - USA Today
"Romance fans will be demanding SAVING GRACE." - Library Journal
good story
*Different Cover*
