The Laird [Paperback]

Juliana Garnett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 24, 2002

Kidnapped by her family's enemies, a young English woman becomes a prisoner of a Scottish clan-only to capture the heart of her captor.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

When Judith's Scottish husband died seven years ago, her family in England refused to have her back, so she lives with her in-laws' family on sufferance. The only thing that gives her life meaning is the care and tutoring of the clan's heiress. When little Mairi is abducted by the Campbells, Judith puts up a noble fight and is kidnapped along with her. Robert Campbell did not take part in the abduction. Not only would his wounded leg not allow it but he believed it was a suicide mission, and he was correct: all seven of his brothers are killed. Sick at heart and in body, he is nonetheless sensitive to the precariousness of hostage Judith's predicament. When she is accused of witchcraft, he steals her away, and soon Judith and Robert admit to themselves that they have feelings for the other. With Robert the Bruce's reign as dramatic backdrop, Garnett has created a powerful love story. Maria Hatton
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Jove (September 24, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0515133884
• ISBN-13: 978-0515133882
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,450,650 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rich historical details with smoldering passion, October 12, 2002

By 

Desmond Chan (Bishan North Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Laird (Paperback)

It is 1327 at Lochawe, Scotland. Robert Campbell, the laird of Glenlyon pleads his misguided father Angus to retract his fealty to Lord Arygll and jettison the notion of assisting him in capturing the Claddel child-bride to his rival. He thinks his son a traitor and leads Robert's brothers to a scheme that went awry. Lady Judith and Mairi are captured at the expense of his brothers' lives and thus the recipents of his frustrations.

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.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars clever use of historical facts within a warm romance, September 30, 2002

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Laird (Paperback)

In 1327 the war between the Scottish and English monarchy heats up and impacts everyone in both lands. Robert Campbell knows how deadly the fight is becoming, having lost family members to his dangerous foes. Still he successfully captures Mairi, the child-fiancee to a powerful rival. In addition to his young prisoner, Robert also incarcerates Mairi's guardian, her widowed aunt by marriage Judith Lindsay.

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

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars 3 star-effort only from Juliana G., April 6, 2004

By 

SusieQ (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Laird (Paperback)

I was surprised to realize that this novel is actually a later effort than the author's own "The Scotsman". At times, it reads like a first draft of an earlier work. Some of the themes and motivations from "The Scotsman" are re-used and re-worked here, also. Is the author losing her edge?

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.