Shadow Music

In this sequel of sorts to Garwood's Ransom, Princess Gabrielle of St. Biel, a daughter of an English Baron, is sent by King John to marry an older highland Laird to keep peace between the borders (??!! more on this later). Two of John's scheming Barons with their nefarious (and ridiculous) schemes get involved and Gabrielle's intended is murdered, she is disgraced as a wanton woman and disinherited and banned from England (this from one woman accusing her of entering a wounded man's bedroom??). She meets up with Laird Brodick Buchanan who is her cousin by marriage, as Brodick is married to Gillian a distant cousin of Gabrielle's father. Accompanying Brodick is the fearsome Laird MacHugh who takes her into protection after her show more banishment. There is also a big mystery about the search for some missing gold that is all too predictable, I figured where that was at the first mention of.... well I won't be a spoiler but trust me you'll spot that one a mile away.

Sound exciting? No, it's not, it's actually quite awful and I'm having a hard time believing Garwood wrote this. Although her older historicals are not high fiction, the healthy dose of humor she throws in along with the romance usually makes for an entertaining read. Unfortunately, along with an embarrassingly bad plot Garwood forgot to throw in the humor that might have saved a story that's predictable from the first page to the last. Even worse, there is little description of the sights, sounds, clothes, etc. to give the reader a good sense of the time period. I don't think I heard mention of any Scott wearing a kilt until well towards the end of the book, Gabrielle's clothing was only noted by the color of the dress she was wearing, etc. I won't even get started on the way Brodick was ruined -- without the banter between he, Gillian, Ramsey and Ian what was an awesome hero in Ransom is reduced to nothing but mush. We don't even get a glimpse of Gillian, only occasional mentions of her being home and pregnant. And worst of all, there is absolutely no chemistry between our two main protagonists, an absolute death knell for any romance book.

And finally, although I don't expect an historical romance to be historically accurate, I appreciate it when an author makes some effort to have knowledge of the period they're writing in. I wish I'd taken notes, because I'm not able to remember all the boners in this book to recount them here. Examples, and since I'm not a history major anyone may correct me if I'm wrong:

* Gabrielle's native country St Biel (somewhere in Europe where the crusaders passed through), is invaded and occupied by King John !!??? John Lackland who couldn't even hold on to Normandy?
* What is it with the women running around with their long hair flowing loose? No woman in medieval times, especially a noblewoman would be seen in public without a proper head covering.
* Gabrielle's original marriage was to settle the border disputes between England and Scotland. Hellooooo, if I recall correctly John was too busy trying to subdue the Welsh to be bothered with Scotland. And what help does a marriage to a highland Laird have to do with any border wars? The borders are in the lowlands - you'd think a marriage to someone with closer ties to the border would make more political sense.

All in all, this is pretty close to one of the worst books I've ever read - not quite but almost. Boring, predictable and downright silly. Garwood would have done much better by making her sequel to Ransom writing about the Buchanans, Ramsey and Sinclairs and putting those people together into her story. Better yet, put their grown children together into a tightly woven story with that sadly missing dose of humor and she might have had something here. As it is, this is a bad way to spend $18 on a hardback and a serious waste of a tree. If you are dead set on reading it, get it from the library (as I did) or wait for the mass market paperback.

Last complaint - what the heck is with the book cover? The man and woman in the bottom corner are in evening dress and the building with the onion dome looks like something out of the Far East, and certainly not a castle that one would find in Scotland. It's all just stupid, stupid, stupid and doesn't even deserve one star. show less

How am I ever going to find another Highlander Historical Romance series as good as this one?

Julie Garwood created three separate complex stories with lovable heroines and despicable villains. Her male protagonists are strong and honorable not horny and pushy. A lot of historical romance writers make the mistake of making the hero think with his loins instead of his mind. It annoys the hell out of me but Julie Garwood doesn't do that. And her heroines are classy yet full of spark.

In this book, Gabrielle witnesses a horrible act while traveling to the abbey where she will be married in one weeks time in the Highlands. King John is marrying her to an old Highland laird to win favor with the Highlanders.She and her guards see men disguised show more in monk robes trying to bury a man alive.

To save him, Gabrielle kills one of them with her bow and arrow. She and her guards sneak him into the abbey to get him help. They do not want anyone to find out they saw anything because they don't know what happened and who to trust.

The injured man is the brother of a brutal Highland laird named Colm MacHugh and he wants answers. If he can find the person who saved his brother, he might be able to get proof of who wanted him dead.

Colm MacHugh was the perfect Highlander male. He was disciplined, stubborn and a man of few words yet honorable. He would never lay a hand on a woman but he is also afraid love weakens a man so he holds back his feelings. I was pretty much in love with him throughout the book.

I am going to have a hard time finding a series that lives up to this one now that it's finished.

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If you love Garwood, this is a typical Garwood novel. Same formula, reluctant lady and powerful warrior. In fact, it almost feels like I have read this one before. I enjoy her writing and I enjoyed this book. Now it is isn't my favorite (Honor's Splendour was) but I read this book about 3 times now.
I will admit it was slower build up than her usual books, but it is the same type of historical romances that she is known for.
She is my favorite romance author and I known that I can expect from her--The hero to protect the lady and they will fall in love, with some issues, eventually they find their way to each other.

Many fans of Julie Garwood are probably overjoyed that she has returned to historical romance - no one does it better. Described as "exquisitely beautiful." Princess Gabrielle is certainly worth more than a trade, but that's what King John uses her for in an attempt to make peace in the Highlands. He offers her in marriage to a Scottish laird.

The journey to meet her laird is not an easy one as she and her escorts come upon a dreadful sight - some thieves are attempting to bury a man alive. Gabrielle to the rescue! She saves the man's life and chases off the despicable brutes. A short while later r husband-to-be is murdered, and she is banished.

Banishment is not so bad after all when she is taken in by Colm MacHugh. As is said, "the path show more of true love never runs smooth," so it's a rocky road rutted with considerable danger for Gabrielle and Colm. show less

Again, another great story by Julie Garwood.

Princess Gabrielle of Saint Biel, daughter of one powerful English baron and cousin by marriage of Brodick Buchanan (see book II), is the perfect "coin" to establish peace between England and Scotland but her beauty turns some heads, especially two English barons that stopped at nothing to have her and the treasure she carries with her.
Pledge to an old laird, Gabrielle comes to Scotland to wed but on the journey she kills a man, protects another and finds herself outcast and without a home. All this is witnessed by Colm MacHugh and Brodick that decided that Gabrielle should marry Colm, not only for her protection but also to pay a debt but soon they found out that Gabrielle is not what she show more appears to be. Opinionated, free, smart and sassy, Gabrielle turns Colm head and life upside down, making him attracted to her.
Together they need to clean her name and replace the truth.

Colm is a warrior: brave, strong, smart and hardheaded. He doesn't want to like Gabrielle because he thinks she has the power to make him vulnerable. Still, the way she carries herself, strong and confident, is what draws him to her. I loved the way they circled each other and how they behaved together.
I like the way Julie Garwood mingles romance with action and humor. It's definitely a book that I recommend to everyone who likes Highlanders. show less

I loved this book! To me it was the perfect blend of romance, suspense, with a delightful sense of humor thrown in. Princess Gabrielle is a feisty, very likable heroine, and Colm is a great hero. While I've enjoyed Julie Garwood's contemporary suspense, this historical far surpassed them.

I can't say I really liked the story, but I didn't exactly hate it either. I really liked the prologue and thought there was great potential. However, after the prologue the plot is slow to develop. It never really picked up.

The heroine was okay. Garwood's heroines are usually headstrong. It seems like Garwood wanted Gabrielle to come off as headstrong and independent, but she fell short. In the beginning she is a strong character and then she starts running away to daddy. It was a disappointment since I liked Garwood's other heroines.

The hero, Colm MacHugh, was another disappointment. At times he came off as an ox and then other times he was a coward. He stayed away from Gabrielle for a good chunk of the story for fear of showing his show more true feelings. When he did finally show his feelings he came off as a brute. He was not endearing or warm at all. This was a big disappointment for me considering that this is a romance novel and there was barely any romance. show less