Customer Reviews

The Bride

5 star:		(169)
4 star:		(24)
3 star:		(18)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This was a re-read for me but I loved it so much that I wanted to make sure I added my two cents worth in the review area!

This is a wonderful scottish romance full of the characteristics that made Julie Garwood a well-loved author in Historical Romance before her move to the romantic suspense genre. In "The Bride" an English girl is wed to a Scotsman whom is rumored to have killed his first wife, or at least drove her to suicide. Alec is strong, handsome, but fierce in both looks and manners.

Jamie is the youngest of the Baron's daughters and is the bride that Alec chooses per orders of King of Scotland, and King Henry of England. He does not plan on falling in love with Jamie but sometimes life does not go according to plan.

Jamie on the other hand is not afraid of her new husband, in fact she is quite the opposite to the surprise of many. With her gentle ways and forth right nature she sways the opinion of the Scots and they all come to care for her including her stubborn husband.

This book offers, laughter, tears, romance, and yes, suspense. Who killed Alec's first wife, and why does that person want Jamie dead? The character's are colorful and you find yourself liking all of them. If you want a taste of what Ms. Garwood has done in the past, this book is for you.

This is Garwood's best book in my opinion. Alec is a callous and hard Scotsman who has to learn how to love and cherish the fiesty and ever-surprising Jamie. Jamie is funny, tender, sensitive and she always manages to surprise you and Alec. She has to overcome her new clanspeople hostility towards their new English Mistress. She has to deal with a secret enemy who wishes to kill her. She has to deal with a man who was rumored to have killed his wife and she has to deal with her grwoing love for this man.

The book will see you laughing out loud through many pages. The characters are so well-written, that you seem to know them for real by the end.

SEQUEL: THE WEDDING

I have read almost all of Julie Garwood's work and I've never been disappointed. She will always be my all time favorite author esp. in Historical Romance Genre. Upon observation, I do agree with most avid Julie Garwood readers that she tend to use the same characteristics and somewhat similar formulas in most of her works - Her heroes are mostly tall, large-brutish-warrior & intimading yet handsome who is gentle and patient to his Lady. Meanwhile, the heroines are usually petite, well educated, saucy and spunky. However, I confessed that these familiarities doesn't seem to bother me at all. In fact, I liked it. Every now and then, I do enjoy my books with such characteristics. I'm guessing, this is J.G's style, her mark/her signature traits and I respect that. Humor, heart warming scenes, heart pumping twist and lovable secondary characters are also just a few of Julie Garwood's usual ingredients in all her novels.

THE BRIDE is definitely not an exception of Ms. Garwood's standard book qualities which I've mention above. Alec and Jamie's love story was captivating. Full of warmth and humor - I liked the idea that Jamie has no sense of direction, not to mention her ways of saving Alec's soul by buying an indulgence -chuckle! You have to read the book to appreciate this scene with a good laugh. My favorite part was the initial meeting (the conversation in the stable and the "choosing")... from there, the book gets funnier & even better! The arrival and adjustments in Highland are as always interesting. The suspense of finding out the murderer in this book was an add-on thrill. I have my doubts and guesses but the revelation was quite unexpected. I actually thought the murderer would be ----- yet I prayed and cross my fingers that it wouldn't be him because I liked him so much. So in a way, I was relieved it wasn't who I thought it was. The ending of this book was also one of my favorite in this book, another very unexpected and thoroughly heart warming conclusion to a supreme love story. Mary, Daniel, Gavin, Angus, Elizabeth, Father Murdock are just a few secondary character-favs of mine. What a joy! Read this book and chuckle with a glowing heart.

Julie Garwood is truly an amazing writer. She manages to enfuse, charm, humor, love, adventure, passion and so much more into her stories. The Bride was truely no exception. Jamie is such a charming character who maintains her head-strong personality throughout, even when she is first married to Alec and knows nothing of him. Her hilarious misadventures will have you laughing till you cry and her strength of will will make you proud to be a woman. Garwood portrays Alec wonderfully as a strongly passionate man and leader while showing his lovable side through his tolerance and amusement in Jamie's antics. He's the type of man every woman would feel safe with and yet not controlled. Jamie is constantly persuading him to let her have his way and he keeps telling himself that it is the last time he'll bend to her will, but he often obliges her wishes, finally realizing how much he loves her. But what will happen when her English betrothed comes to claim her?

I was so thrilled to have found Julie Garwood- in particular "The Bride." It is wonderful to not have one of those stories where the woman is treated less than kindly until the very end where the man vows undying love and all is forgiven. Give me Julie's strong yet gentle, voracious yet tender men anyday! Her imagery is rich, her dialog funny and charming! I've now read every book she has ever published. The Bride is a good place to start.

This book by Julie Garwood is probably one of the best romantic novels ever written ,at least I think so .It is a roller coaster ride with a great storyline :elements of mystery ,romance and humour sucessfully knit together and the sex scenes are HOT .The charachters Alec and Jamie are two absolutely adorable people.Alec Kincaid is a Scottish laird who by the edict of the king should take an English bride . He chooses Jamie a violet eyed , fiesty beauty . Both vow not to fall in love with the other; Alec because he does not beleive in love and Jamie because she is angry at Alec who to her seems like a ruthless person who took her away from her home . However there is an intense attraction between them which slowly blossoms into a love that will change their lives and conquer all. It is a wonderful book and i assure you that by the end of the book you will be in love the charachters and they will stay with you . So take my advice and be prepared for the ride of your life ...

Julie Garwood is a wonderful author! I am tired of the boy-hates-girl and girl-hates-boy, but isn't-the-sex-great formula. Garwood's characters are likable. The women are strong and intelligent, not nags and whiners. The men are handsome, strong, and considerate, not forceful beasts who are constantly angry. In this book, English born Jamie is selected by Scottish Lord Alec Kincade to become his bride. Since she is an intelligent woman, she determines to make the best of the situation. Alec admires Jamie's "grit" and determines to like her. Like becomes love. Admiration becomes passion. Jamie's determination and her fierce, but kind heart wins the respect of her people. Despite the fact that she is English, she finds love and acceptance in her Scottish home.

This book was the first one I had ever read by Julie Garwood. Now, I own ever book she ever wrote. Jamie and Alec marry on order of their respective kings, but fall in love on the order of their hearts. Jamie is a strong heroine, stubborn and loyal to her heart. Alec is a typical Highland warrior who has a lot to learn about women. Jamie is more than willing to instruct him. A secret enemy threatens their tender love If youre tired of weepy weak heroines, you'll love this book.Its one of the reasons I love Ms Garwood's stories. Her characters are women who have experience pain but have become stronger for it. The men are strong and stubborn as well.. but also learn what it means to love completely. The romance is secondary to the story and ususally occurs after marrage. Her storys are historically factual, and painted vibrantly. Also, if youre like me, you'll want to read more about Jamie and Alec. They show up again as support characters in the book, The Wedding. (Thanks Julie for letting me know what has happened in my "family's " life.)

I loved this book. I read it in 1 day. I just couldn't put it down. I loved the characters, Alec and Jamie, I couldn't get enough of them. The ending was wonderful, it just made the book! This book is a treasure and a gem. You won't be dissapointed.

For those of you who love Medieval Highland Romances, this is a must read that will lead you to another follow-up book (The Wedding) of Ms. Garwood's that allows you to re-visit this romantic duo. I can't begin to tell you how many times I have read this book, but its quite a few. I won't repeat what other's have in regards to the story as a whole but a few other tidbits. This book not just tells of a growing love story, but also gives you an antagonist whom you're never quite sure its going to turn out being. But it doesn't take up a large amount of the story (as some Author's tend to do) and distract you too much from the Romance of the Story.

There is also some humor (that will make you chuckle out loud) in the Story with frequent references by many of the Highlander's in regards to Jamie's name being "a man's name and not a lasses". And in one day's time, manages to start wars with 3 different neighboring Clans.

The heroine "Jamie" is the youngest of her family and while she was loved by them, they did tend to use her. She was basically the care-giver in the family but when the opportunity arises, a trusted servant (a fellow Highlander) tips off Alex (our hunky Hero-think Gerard Butler) as to who is the best choice of Brides.

As Jamie fights for her place among her husband's clan, her husband helps her to see that he loves her not for what she can "do" for him, as she did for her family. And Ms. Garwood doesn't give it away too soon that her husband has fallen in love with Jamie.

The love scenes in the Story are really just about right. They're steamy enough. Romantic enough. Not gratuitous but in the right places. Not on the verge of erotica (as some authors have been recently going to).

There are numerous secondary characters that lend their selves to making the story more well rounded. When you finish the book, you know you've been entertained quite nicely and was able to lose yourself in Jamie and Alex's story.

Be sure to purchase The Wedding (by Julie Garwood) so you can launch yourself into a follow-up story that lets you check back in with Jamie & Alex and is a good read too.