Customer Reviews

Scotsman

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This story was truly compelling and wonderful. I fell for the hero instantly. He was like William Wallace from "Braveheart" all over again. Juliana Garnett as well, puts a lot of history into her books so you are not just reading a romance. You are reading history. It was almost spooky because I felt like she had actually traveled back into time. I felt I had traveled back into time myself. Anyone would believe that Alex Fraser and Catherine truly lived at that time. I would rate this book a perfect ten if I could. This is the first book I have read by her and plan to read the rest. Juliana is truly a legend in her own time. May she write like this forever.

I was incredibly impressed with the entire novel. This is the only one I have read where the plot was feasible, the end was feasible, accents were not over- or under-done, the writing was skilled (neither sleazy nor vague), and the characters had actual depth. The story begins to build from the start and does not become disappointing or repetitive. Catherine is the perfect character of the age- she is a young Englishwoman trapped in a position of royalty she does not want to accept. To everyone around her- her father, her brothers, and even her mother- she is just a bone to be fought over. When the Scottish Alex Fraser comes along and kidnaps her in an attempt to win back hostages from her father, the love story that unfolds between the two of them is amazing. Of course, both must deal with the conflicting interests in their lives- Alex must show his people that Catherine is not bad simply because she is English; Catherine must learn that lessons she has been taught her whole life are wrong. All I can think of to say is you have to read it for yourself. You won't be sorry you took the time.

I have been reading medieval romances for as long as I can remember, which means I have read everyone from Roberta Gellis on up, and I have to say that Juliana Garnett is the best of them all. The Scotsman is the breathtaking story of a savage clansman and the beautiful woman he takes as his hostage. The story starts when a Scottish rebel, to avenge the capture of his brother by the English, kidnaps the ravishing daughter of the man he holds responsible. But the country is bitterly divided, and our hero faces not one but two fights--to save his brother and also to resist his fierce attraction to his passionate hostage. Lyrical writing, deep characterization, a truly ingenious plot, a hero to die for, and some of the most sensuous love scenes I have ever read make this a keeper! I will read all of Juliana Garnett's previous books, not to mention all of her future ones. Where has this writer been all my life??? Romance readers, you are in for a rare treat!

After I read this book I felt like I'd been there in scotland. It broke my heart when Catherine went throuhg so much, and then all she had to go through with Alex well, it was wonderful at the end. I felt bad for Alex, too, but he was so strong I knew he would win out. When I finishe the book I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time.

Romantic beyond words, tragic beyond the usual frivolous romance novels, triumphant beyond imagination.

I've found the Editorial Review at the top of this Amazon page to be an excellent accounting of the story. Rather than repeat her words, I'll encourage you to read her review.

The romance:
I found myself a bit in love with the hero, Alex. I melted to pure putty when he asked Catherine to marry him in old English terms: "Wilt thou marry me?" I loved the fact that he was hopelessly and openly in love with her. No forced marriage or reluctant honor commitment as we read in so many novels.

The Tragedy:
Scotland has been fighting for nearly two decades to gain their freedom from England. When Catherine's English father raids Alex's land, he slaughters everything and everyone in his path. Alex returns to his home to find his very soul torn from him. He has lost the two most precious people in his life. (I won't give away who they are.) Even in his terrible pain, he does not place blame or guilt upon Catherine's shoulders. Instead, he helps to assure her that she is not at fault for her father's deeds. With his home and family destroyed, Alex becomes even more determined to win freedom with his countrymen.

The Triumph:
England has amassed an army of over twenty thousand. Robert Bruce, king of Scotland, has an army of about five thousand. With such odds, how can Scotland succeed?
In a very realistic but not too gruesome rendition, Juliana Garnett brings you to the field of the great battle that won Scotland's freedom. Holding very true to historic accounts of the battle, you will see the triumph through the eyes of Alex and Catherine.

This is the first book I've read by Juliana Garnett. I'm now on a hunt for more. Garnett's characters are realistic and true to the time of the story's era. The romance and scenery are vivid. The story has depth and substance. One of the best romance novels I have ever read.

The garish cover put me off this book for too long. Garnett has done her homework and the setting is accurate and convincing. Her characters, although relatively familiar, are nonetheless fully fleshed and interesting. The story mixes historical fact and fancy deftly and you don't lose interest. This is an above average romance, a good historical novel and a fun read.

as a native scot i found the history so profound i have walked the same paths as her heroes and ms garnett has not put a foot wrong and the romance is so lirical it had me in tears. i eagearly await her next book i read at least 5 books a week from history to mystery and i am so glad to have picked up this book ms garnett now has a very happy reader

This was my first novel by Ms. Garnett. The detail to history, although was excellent and informative, may be tedious for some. The plot was well spoken, and the characters well developed. This book did take time to go through, because it is chalk full of details, the story was interesting, but the ending a little weak I thought. All in all though, I would give this author another read.

I was very pleasantly surprised with this Scottish medieval romance. I really enjoyed the story, strong characters and the romance. The book manages to show realistic historical details of the time period but still include a very romantic love story.

Alexander Fraser is a Scottish lord fighting for Robert the Bruce along the Scottish/English border during the fight for Scotland's independence. His younger brother is taken hostage by the English during a border fight by the cruel Earl of Warfield. Alex knows his brother will die unless he can convince Warfield to ransom his brother or allow an exchange of prisoners. Fate smiles upon Alex when he stumbles upon Catherine, Warfield's daughter, alone outside her family's keep. He kidnaps Catherine and takes her back to his lands in Scotland, intending to ransom her back to her father in exchange for his younger brother.

Catherine is a nice young woman who was always sheltered from the harshness of life. Her father was a hard, cold man who saw her only as a means to acquire more influence with a strategic marriage. Catherine wanted more for herself than to be wed to some man she had never met, but she has no say over her life. The only real bright spot in her life is her brother Nicolas, as her mother is also a cold person. When Alex kidnaps her, she is scared to death but faces her captor with courage. He does not harm her but she doesn't trust him because she knows how the Scots hate the English. She is also certain her father will not trade valuable hostages for her, a mere daughter.

Alex and Catherine slowly get to know each other as she stays in his keep. There is an instant attraction between the pair that grows during the story. Nothing about their situation is easy. Alex is fighting the English and faces death constantly. He cannot keep Catherine forever because she is the only leverage against his brother's life. His people hate the English after losing many relatives to English battles and raids. Catherine's father is especially hated for his brutality, so that hate extends to Catherine. Yet somehow, these lovers are able to overcome all of the obstacles against them but not without some heartbreak and loss of people they care about.

The story was very realistic but still a very enjoyable to read. Alex was a good man who never mistreated Catherine. He loved her strength and courage, while she came to admire him as an honorable and just man. She had more freedom at his keep as a captive than she ever had at her father's castle, which gives her the ability to grow into a stronger person. Their love grows despite all the odds stacked against them and we see a very satisfying ending. The historical facts and setting were very accurate and blend seamlessly into the story. You feel like you are truly in 1300's Scotland and not just reading a history lesson.

If you enjoy Scottish historical romance, I very highly recommend you read this book to enjoy a great romance!

The Scotsman is one of the best books I've read in a long time. The characters were compelling and sympathetic, and the historical detail was finely woven into the plot.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion and free to speak their mind, but at least have the decency to put your name up for the world to see along with your mean-spirited comments about a book highly-praised by critics and readers alike.