”…a rare jewel to cherish if you love history as much as you do romance.” -RT Book Reviews on The LairdScotland, 1327…Judith Lindsay is not just an English-born enemy of Clan Campbell–she’s the widow of Kenneth Lindsay, whose family holds a child promised to Argyll, the Campbell Clan’s overlord.Robert Campbell is not just a Scottish warrior for King Robert Bruce–he’s a new laird of his own … own lands, won on the battlefield against the English.Fate brings Judith to Rob when his father abducts her along with the Lindsay child at the behest of Argyll, a powerful man Rob detests. The deaths of his seven brothers in the skirmish with Clan Lindsay should make him hate Judith–but Rob soon finds that there is much more to this woman than he expected. She has steely determination beneath her cool beauty, and untouched passion that lures Rob to vanquish the boundaries set upon them by old feuds and loyalties . . . But they are a people at war. Can they survive the inevitable clash to find love and peace in the Scottish Highlands?Since her first romance novel came out in 1984, Virginia Brown has written over 50 novels. Many of her books have been nominated for Romantic Times’ Reviewer’s Choice, Career Achievement Award for Love and Laughter, Career Achievement Award for Adventure, EPIC eBook nomination for Historical Romance, and she received the RT Career Achievement Award for Historical Adventure, as well as the EPIC eBook Award for Mainstream Fiction. Her works have regularly appeared on national bestseller lists. She lives near her children in North Mississippi, surrounded by a menagerie of beloved dogs and cats while she writes.
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This book is an absolutely awesome read! If my friends ever asked me why I love historical romances so much, especially the Scottish Highlands ones, I’d tell them to read this book and then they’d know!!
This story takes place in the 1300’s when the Scots and the English are enemies, clan feuds are a norm and loyalties are divided. I especially love it that parts of the story are based on actual historical people and places. I was forever on Google Earth checking the places and it made me feel like I was right there!
Judith Lindsay and Robert Campbell’s story is filled with heartbreak, danger, secrets, etc, but it’s also filled with a wonderful passion and love that overcomes all that is thrown at them. I fell in love with both of them, so strong and loyal to each other! Oh and can’t forget the old hound, Caesar:) All in all, an absolutely delightful book to read and one that I definitely recommend.
I was given an ARC of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Lady Judith Lindsay is the English widow of a Scottish baron and thus caught between two worlds but truly belonging to neither. Her husband’s family cares for Mairi, a young girl promised in marriage to the son of the ruthless Earl of Argyll, overlord of Clan Campbell. Laird Robert Campbell has been awarded the holdings and title of Glenlyon for his skill in fighting for Robert the Bruce. The two are brought together when Robert’s reckless father, Angus, laird of Clan Campbell, abducts both Judith and Mairi on orders from Argyll, whom Rob loathes for betraying him, resulting in the deaths of all seven of Rob’s brothers. Rob sets out to loathe Judith as well for her association in the loss of his brothers, until he spends more time with her, serving as a barrier between her and his father, who wants to set all the blame for the death of his sons at her feet, and begins to struggle against a fierce desire for her. With danger threatening them both, Rob questions his father’s decisions and establishes his own definition of honor, though it may not be enough to save him or his lady.
I had a really hard time getting into this one. This is definitely not the typical romance, but rather it is grounded much in history, battles and rich descriptions. The pacing for the first half was a bit slow and lost me for awhile, but at about 60% it became one of the most romantic books I’ve read (in an actiony way) and I couldn’t put it down then. The story was extremely well-written and well-researched, fraught with danger and suspense and a hard won happily ever after for our main characters.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is a book that I would call “a movie for the mind”. There is so much description and imagery that one can see what the author intended e.g. the landscapes, the clothing, the feeling of camaraderie, the love for family, feelings of devotion and loyalty, fear, longing and regret. In those days loyalty right or wrong was expected under the banner of unity. It was tradition. However, for our hero, Laird Robert (Rob) Campbell of Glenlyon, it was different. Having been betrayed by his chief, he one day would reap retribution. Against his best judgement, his father, Laird Angus Campbell of Lochawe and his seven brothers went on a kidnapping mission for their chief Argyll. Rob vehemently tried to stop them, but pride and loyalty would not dissuade Angus or his brothers. After a tragic battle, Angus returns with Lady Judith and the child heiress Mairi. Mairi is betrothed to Argyll’s son. Argyll wanted the alliance between his clan and Mairi’s clan more than anything. Angus paid a tragic and severe cost for it. He spiraled into drink and tried to pawn the blame off onto Rob and even Lady Judith. When Angus threatens Judith’s life, Rob defies his father and whisks Judith to his keep Glenlyon. From their beginning moments that Rob interacted with Judith, he find her beautiful, challenging, stimulating and surprising. She is a mix of intelligent, hardworking, gifted and structured. She began to take on the duties of the Lady of the manor and proved her mettle. The way the author wrote about the romance between Judith and Rob was so realistic. You could feel their emotions at every turn and when they finally came together after their handfasting there was no turning back for either of them. The passion the author wrote into the scenes were tender, gentle and loving. Although Rob did not realize he loved Judith, Judith knew she loved Rob. Judith had never known love before nor respect. Rob treated her with honor and adored her. I felt sorry for Judith. She felt unloved by her English father and unwanted by her Scottish in laws. But Rob opened up a new world for her that she was unwilling to surrender itr. But surrender she did. Angus came to raze Glenlyon to the ground if Rob did not turn over Judith. With Judith a prisoner again, Rob came after her and they both became prisoners. After mixed up loyalties, brave attempts for peace Argyll thought he was going to get his way. But Rob put his faith in his father. Although Angus was loyal to Argyll, Rob placed his life in Angus’ hands that he would see Argyll’s treachery. Judith was ransomed to her father but escaped her brother when taking her back to England. She was headed back to Glenlyon to wait for Rob. There is so much emotion is this story, a lot of action and drama that it made it hard to put this book down. It kept me turning page after page. It is a wonderful read and I highly recommend it. I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.