The Secret by Julie Garwood

from the publisher:

"New York Times bestselling author Julie Garwood captures the Highland
splendor of medieval Scotland in this breathtaking love story. The
inspiration for her powerful novel, Ransom, this classic tale is a
passionate masterpiece from one of the best-loved storytellers of all time...

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 the Clan."

my thoughts:

After spending many years engrossed in the love story of Jamie and Claire of the Outlander series, I've decided to put them to rest for a while and search out other interesting Scottish Highland couples! I know they're out there, even if I have to go back a few years to read some oldies but goodies. Lady Judith and Iain Maitland make quite a stunning couple!

The Secret is refreshingly entertaining from start to finish and kept me turning the pages. There are really several interesting plotlines at work: the life-long friendship of the two little girls from different backgrounds who were too young and innocent to realize that their elders were bitter enemies; the forbidden and passionate relationship between the beautiful and spirited English Lady Judith and the Scottish warrior, Iain; and the secret Judith keeps hidden which could change the course of her life.

To keep things interesting, Lady Judith and Iain often have a clash of wills as age-old customs and traditions of the Scottish clans and the church are challenged, and Judith attempts to find a level of acceptance in a land where the people consider her an outsider and a threat. She manages to make as many friends as enemies as she questions male authority and places Iain and his clan warriors in one problematic situation after another. The plot thickens when the great laird of the clan, Iain Maclean, falls in love with her and declares his intentions to marry her. Judith's secret, unfortunately, is only one of many family secrets and betrayals, and it seems that her chance at happiness with Iain and his clan are slipping away when the secret is revealed...

Easy, fun, pure entertainment...I will definitely be reading Ransom, which continues the story of some of the players introduced in The Secret.

For many great Scottish romance recommendations, visit Julie at Outlandish Dreaming --- lots of interesting possibilities!

4/5 stars

Title: The Secret
Author: Julie Garwood
1992
Publisher: Pocket Books
379 pages
genre: historical romance/Scottish romance