Sunday Spotlight is a feature we began in 2016. This year we’re spotlighting our favorite books, old and new. We’ll be raving about the books we love and being total fangirls. You’ve been warned. 🙂
I love Julie Garwood. Her books introduced me to a whole new world of romance. I didn’t know what a historical romance was until I read one of her books. I didn’t appreciate humor in historicals until I read one of her books. She remains one of my favorite authors to this day. This book holds a special place in my heart.
The Secret by Julie Garwood
Genres: Historical, Romance
Release Date: May 1, 1992
Publisher: Pocket Books
Judith Hampton was as beautiful as she was proud and loyal. Her dear Scottish friend from childhood was about to give birth, and Judith had promised to be at her side. But there was another, private reason for the journey from her bleak English home to the Highlands: to meet the father she had never known, the Laird Maclean. Nothing prepared her, however, for the sight of the Scottish barbarian who was to escort her into his land…Iain Maitland, Laird of his clan, a man more powerfully compelling than any she had ever encountered.
In a spirited clash of wills and customs, Judith reveled in the melting bliss of Iain’s searching kisses, his passionate caresses. Perplexed by her sprightly defiance, bemused by her tender nature, Iain felt his soul growing into the light and warmth of her love. Surely nothing would wrench her from the affection and trust of Iain and his clan…not even the truth about her father, a devastating secret that could shatter the boldest alliance, and the most glorious of loves!
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This book is about the romance between Judith and Iain, yes. But it’s also about a friendship between two women that nothing could break. Not time, not distance, not politics, not war. It’s about family.
Excerpt
“It will be a hard ride up the mountains, lass, and it would serve you better if you rode with one of us.”
She shook her head. The idea of being so close to the handsome man wasn’t actually displeasing, but she didn’t want him to think of her as inferior. She’d had enough of that in the past to las her a lifetime.
“I’m very fit for this journey,” she boasted. “You needn’t worry about me keeping up.”
Iain held his exasperation. “There will also be times when we’ll have to ride through hostile territory,” he patiently explained. “Our counts are trained to be quiet–”
“My horse will be just as quiet,” she interjected.
He suddenly smiled at her. “Will she be as quiet as you are?”
She immediately nodded.
He let out a sigh. “I suspected as much.”
And this…
“Go inside now, Judith, while I still have enough discipline to let you.”
“If you dislike kissing me so much, why do you continue to do so?”
She look throughly disgruntled. He laughed.
She took exception to that reaction. “You may let go of me now,” she ordered.
“I already have.”
And how can you not love this bit of arrogance?
“Don’t you dare weep,” he commanded.
“You’ve broken my heart.”
“I’ll fix it later.”
I adore this book and you will too. Why haven’t you read it?
About the Author
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It’s no surprise that Julie Garwood became a writer. Growing up in a large family of Irish heritage, she took to storytelling naturally. “The Irish relish getting all the details of every situation,” she explains. “Add in the fact that I was the sixth of seven children. Early in life I learned that self-expression had to be forceful, imaginative, and quick.”
Creating stories was always a passion for Julie, but she didn’t focus on making it a career until the youngest of her three children entered school. After the publications of two young adult books, she turned her interests to historical fiction. Her first novel, GENTLE WARRIOR, was published in 1985, and there has been a steady parade of bestsellers ever since. Today more than 40-million copies of her books are in print, and they are translated in dozens of languages around the world. One of her most popular novels, FOR THE ROSES, was adapted for a HALLMARK HALL OF FAME production on CBS.
Whether the setting be medieval Scotland, Regency England, frontier Montana, or modern-day Louisiana, her themes are consistent: family, loyalty, and honor. Readers claim that it’s the humor as well as poignancy of her novels that keep them coming back for more. Julie described her goals this way: “I want my readers to laugh and cry and fall in love. Basically, I want them to escape into another world for a little while and afterwards to feel as though they’ve been on a great adventure.”
Julie lives in Leawood, Kansas, and is currently working on her next novel.
I will always love Holly for making me read my first Garwood.
I don’t think I’ve read a Julie Garwood books in years. Hmm ….
I don’t have any particular books I’m waiting for this week
denise
I’m really looking forward to the release of Shannon Stacey’s What It Takes, her Kowalski family reunion novel!
I loved this book–well, all her historical books. She added just the right amount of humor. And heat. yeah, especially the heat.
I’m looking forward to Theresa Romain’s Passion Favors the Bold. Thanks for the post and giveaway.
This month, I’ve been looking forward to Devil In Spring by Lisa Kleypas and Perfect For You by Candis Terry