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Julie Garwood

The Secret Mass Market Paperback – May 1, 1992

by Julie Garwood (Author)

4.6 8,138 ratings

Book 1 of 3: Highlands' Lairds

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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!

Book 1 of 3

Highlands' Lairds
Print length

384 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Pocket Books
Publication date

May 1, 1992
Dimensions

4.19 x 1 x 6.75 inches
ISBN-10

9780671744212
ISBN-13

978-0671744212
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Popular Highlights in this book

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“You and I belong to each other, Judith. Nothing else matters. Remember that.”
Highlighted by 174 Kindle readers
“Don’t you dare weep,” he commanded. “You’ve broken my heart.” “I’ll fix it later.”
Highlighted by 160 Kindle readers
“Let me know, Iain.” “Let you know what?” “If you’re going to keep her or not.” “And if I’m not?” “Then I am.”
Highlighted by 143 Kindle readers

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Ever since they met as children at the annual summer festival on the border of their two countries, Judith Hampton of England has been fast friends with Frances Catherine Kirkaldy of Scotland. Despite the enmity between the two lands in this period (the late 12th century), Judith is determined to attend the birth of Frances Catherine's first child and find her father, a Scottish laird she has never seen (when they finally meet, it is not in the fashion she had anticipated). En route to her friend's Highland home, Judith charms her escort, Frances Catherine's brother-in-law Iain Maitland. So she is baffled when Iain withdraws into his role of clan laird. Equally confusing is Frances Catherine's claim that after years with the Maitlands, she is still an outsider. But Judith determinedly forges friendships and reexerts her charms over Iain, leading to a lively, unconventional wedding. Woven into Judith's story is an intriguing, almost heretical message for a romance novel: a woman needs more than the right man to have a full, happy life. That Garwood ( Guardian Angel ) can argue this point and still deliver a delightful tale is an accomplishment.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

YA-- Vivacious Judith, a Brit, visits her friend in the untamed Scottish highlands of 1200. Little does she suspect that she will fall in love, marry, bring women's lib to her new village, and find her previously unknown father. The simple plot offers a pleasant blend of historical fiction and uncomplicated mystery. With well-developed, amusing characters, this entertaining novel pulls readers back in time to an unusual era, and is difficult to put down.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0671744216
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pocket Books; Pocket Books edition (May 1, 1992)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780671744212
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0671744212
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.1 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.19 x 1 x 6.75 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #53,259 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #504 in Scottish Historical Romance (Books)
- #542 in Contemporary Literature & Fiction
- #3,589 in American Literature (Books)

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4.6 8,138 ratings

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Julie Garwood

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Julie Garwood is the author of numerous New York Times bestsellers. The most recent, WIRED, landed at #2. With over 36 million copies in print, her novels take you from the rugged clans of Medieval Scotland to the mind of a modern-day computer hacker, all with her signature humor blended with good helpings of romance and suspense.

For more information and a list of her books visit her website www.JULIEGARWOOD.com or follow her at Facebook.com/JulieGarwood or on Twitter @JulieGarwood.

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4.6 out of 5

8,138 global ratings

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Elizabeth Kenney

Lovely read....each and every time!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 3, 2023

Verified Purchase

As I just stated, this not the first time I read this book. I got it in paperback over 20 years ago and have since added it on my Kindle. The Secret has always been one of my top three favorite historical romance novels by the magnificent Julie Garwood. The thing I've always liked most about this one is the main characters and the friendship between Judith & FC.

Judith is a delightful character! She's smart, bold and extremely loyal. Even though she had a tumultuous childhood she still managed to be optimistic and find joy in things that made her happy. She's also very intuitive and clever. Ian was your typical no nonsense, rough around the edges Highland laird but he was open-minded enough to those around him and would actually consider new ideas. He had all of the qualities of a great leader but wasn't so closed off so as not to be a part of the lives of his clan. He also was smart enough to recognize his true feelings for Judith early on and was not only willing to show it but didn't deny these feelings throughout the entire book. Really great characters!!

Loyalty is a trait I admire most in people. Judith, Catherine Frances AND Ian had it in spades! It would've been extremely difficult to stay close to or even in touch with someone who lived far away back then much less be able to remain that loyal to each other. These two women did manage it. Their relationship was inspirational!

This book has it all. Romance, intrigue, drama, beauty, great characters and strong women. If you like historical romance then you've gotta read this one. Or re-read it a dozen times or so like I have!😘

Helpful

Peg’s reviews

Witty and well written! loved it!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 12, 2014

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The Secret is a historical romance that takes place in the 1200's on the picturesque border of Scotland and England.

Lady Judith Hampton of England and Frances Catherine Kirkcaldy of Scotland, became the best of friends when they were too young to realize that they were supposed to be enemies. And when that fact did come to light, neither one cared, not even a little bit. They were best friends, and that's how their relationship was going to stay.

Lady Judith treasured the six months out of every year that she got to stay with her Aunt and Uncle who resided on the "Border". Living with them was bliss. It not only gave her months of freedom from the abuse and neglect that she regularly suffered from her Mother and her drunkard Uncle Tekel, but it also gave her precious time to spend with her Scottish friend, Frances Catherine.

While the two were still young girls, Frances Catherine confessed to Judith how afraid she was of having a baby. In her family, women often died while birthing a child. There was a long history of them and Frances Catherine was petrified that she would end up be added to that list. Judith made a solemn promise to Frances Catherine that day. She promised that no matter where she was, that she would travel to Frances Catherine, and be by her side when it was her time to birth her first child.

As time past, physical distance was destined to come between the two friends. Frances Catherine was marrying a man who lived in the Highlands of Scotland. But before she married, she made him promise that he would allow her English friend to come and be with her during her labor and delivery of their first child. Patrick agreed of course. How could he not? Even though he knew it was going to be a difficult and sticky situation. So when Frances Catherine's time came near, Patrick approached the council with his wife's request, but as he feared, they denied it.

Ian Maitland was not only Patrick's brother, he was the Laird. And as Laird, he declared that not only would the gates open and welcome Lady Judith into their Keep, but that he, and a few warriors were going to be leaving immediately for England, to locate Lady Judith and bring her back. Ian knew though, that his noble declaration wasn't really as righteous as it sounded. Lady Judith he knew, would not be returning with him because, 1. it was common knowledge that the English never keep their promises and 2. he was not going to have any females accompanying him. So unless Lady Judith was able to convince a female from England to ride with her into enemy territory, and spend several days and nights with men that were complete strangers, she was on her own. No, the proper English Lady Judith Hampton would not be riding back with him, he was sure of it. But Ian would soon realize that he was very much mistaken about who exactly Lady Judith was, because not only would he find her anxiously awaiting his arrival, she would be packed and ready to journey with him back to Scotland.

Judith felt her knees weaken when she spotted the Scottish warriors riding towards her. Why wasn't there any women? Surely they didn't expect her to travel alone with them? They were all men, and fierce looking ones at that. Even though Judith wanted to run and hide, she couldn't. She had made a promise to Frances Catherine and she was going to keep it. Besides, she had just spent several months studying with a midwife and learning all about how to handle difficult deliveries. No, she was traveling to Scotland to assist Frances Catherine, and that was that. So Judith squared her shoulders, gathered her belongings, and mounted a horse.

Ian couldn't believe it! Even his own warriors were snickering when they realized the pickle that Ian had put himself in. This feisty, independent, beautiful English woman was actually coming with them! Incredible! Ian had no idea what he was in for, nor did Lady Judith. But they were soon going to find out.

I enjoyed reading "The Secret" and even though the story was somewhat predictable, and the characters too perfect, I liked it. I found the book humorous and witty and very well written. Reading "The Secret" made it easy for me to escape this modern day world, and travel back in time. I highly recommend taking the journey.

7 people found this helpful

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Kindle Reader

Highland Romance Par Excellence

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 20, 2014

Verified Purchase

I absolutely adored this book! I just finished reading it for the umpteenth time. My original hardcopy has a permanent place on my keeper shelf, but I was really happy when I discovered it had been reproduced in Kindle format. I was lucky enough to borrow a copy from my county's digital library, but I love the book so much I may have to get my own Kindle copy. In any event, this book is so extremely well written and I absolutely love the plot. As for the characters, OMG, they are so well developed that they just about come alive within the pages of the book!

Lady Judith and Frances Catherine are best friends, though they really should be enemies, what with Judith being English and Frances Catherine being Scottish. Their friendship; however, began at an early age, before they were exposed to the hatred between their two countries. Both Frances Catherine's mother and grandmother died in childbirth, consequently, she is convinced that she too will die in childbirth. As youngsters, she gets Judith to promise her that should she ever get pregnant, Judith will be by her side during her childbirth.

Years later, Frances Catherine is now married and living in the Highlands. She is due to have a baby, and asks her husband to fetch Judith from England to be with her during her delivery. Frances Catherine's husband, Patrick, and his brother Iain (Laird of the Maitland Clan) are both convinced that Judith will not honor her word and willingly come to the Highlands to be with Frances Catherine. It is with this mindset that Iain and a few of his men travel to England. To their shock, when they arrive Judith is ready and waiting for them, more than willing to go be with Frances Catherine.

When Judith and Iain first see each other, they are both immediately taken with one another. During the week long journey back to the Highlands, a bond is formed between the two as their attraction for one another develops. From there the story develops to its conclusion, complete with HEA. This story has many LOL moments, as Iain, indeed all the Maitland men are arrogant and bossy. He believes that women are subservient and must obey all his dictates without question. Of course this way of thinking does not find approval with Judith and she continually questions Iain's every dictate. She practically drives poor Iain daft!

As for Judith, the poor dear has had a hard life. All her life she's been made to feel inferior and unimportant. Her mother is an unfeeling, selfish creature, who cant' stand the sight of her own daughter (because she's reminded of Judith's father whenever she looks at her.) Her uncle, her mother's older brother, is a mean-spirited drunk who hurts Judith both physically and emotionally when he's drinking. Furthermore, Judith has been raised with the belief that she was unwanted by her father. For all that, Judith is a caring, generous, compassionate soul. Iain finds himself completely captivated by her. When he uncovers the secret of who Judith's father really is--the Laird of an enemy clan--Iain decides he must marry her in order to protect...at least that's the reason he allows himself to believe.

The relationship between Judith and Iain is sweet and funny. Iain cannot understand why Judith can't just do what she's told. She constantly stands up to him, and challenges him--and the other men of the clan--to change their thinking and attitude towards the women. It was wonderful to see Judith's character develop into a confident, assertive young woman, secure in her own self-worth, as the story progresses; and it was LOL funny, to see Iain's arrogant attitude towards women undergo and 360 degree change. LOL The scene where Judith finally comes face to face with her father, is an extremely emotional one for Judith; my heart fair broke for her. It's only then that you learn the extent of her mother's treachery.

This is one of the best--if not THE best--Highland romance novels that I've ever read. It's one of those novels that once you've read it, you will want to read it time and again. I absolutely loved it and would unequivocally recommend it as a fantastic read. FYI, this is absolutely not a clean romance. LOL Happy reading!

9 people found this helpful

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J

charming tale

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 8, 2023

Verified Purchase

Love her books. She tells a beautiful story with wonderful characters. The charm and humor of her women characters are wonderful

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Top reviews from other countries

Michelle Murphy

Loved it

Reviewed in Australia 🇦🇺 on August 4, 2018

Verified Purchase

This story was fantastic. The characters were engaging and entertaining and their interactions were fun to read about. The storyline was intriguing. I really enjoyed this story.

DB

Julie Garwoods story telling, especially in the Scottish Highlanders ...

Reviewed in Australia 🇦🇺 on August 3, 2014

Verified Purchase

Julie Garwoods story telling, especially in the Scottish Highlanders novels, of their way of life and traditions blended into the stories is really enjoyable.

One person found this helpful

Kelly Dorne

Four Stars

Reviewed in Australia 🇦🇺 on June 21, 2015

Verified Purchase

Great read

Allison Rogers

Great story, strong characters

Reviewed in Australia 🇦🇺 on July 25, 2014

Verified Purchase

This is one of my favourite Julie Garwood books. Honestly, why do the movie makers keep rehashing old stories like Noah & Robin Hood when there are rich stories such as "The Secret". A humorous page turner.

Gorgins Biondic

Loved it

Reviewed in Australia 🇦🇺 on August 17, 2014

Verified Purchase

Great book and the Characters loved them

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