The Laird [Mass Market Paperback]

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.

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

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.