Product Description

In this splendid New York Times bestseller, Julie Garwood brilliantly crafts the majestic story of a young Englishwoman determined to fight for her freedom...a woman whose life would be transformed by the rare, unexpected gift of love.

When Lady Johanna learned that she was a widow, she vowed she would never marry again. Only sixteen, already she possessed a strength of will that impressed all who looked past her golden-haired beauty. Yet when King John demanded that she remarry -- and selected a bridegroom for her -- it seemed she must acquiesce, until her beloved foster brother suggested she wed his friend, the handsome Scottish warrior Gabriel MacBain.

At first Johanna was shy, but as Gabriel tenderly revealed the splendid pleasures they would share, she came to suspect that she was falling in love with her gruff new husband. And it was soon apparent to the entire Highlands clan that their brusque, gallant laird had surrendered his heart completely. But now a desperate royal intrigue threatened to tear her from his side -- and to destroy the man whose love meant more to her than she had ever dreamed!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #36123 in Books
• Published on: 1994-03-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 432 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780671870119
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From Publishers Weekly
Set in 13th-century England and Scotland, this rollicking adventure is among Garwood's ( The Bride ) most enjoyable. The news that her despicable husband is dead has left beautiful 16-year-old Lady Johanna both wealthy and available. Wicked King John wants to marry her to one of his henchmen, but her beloved foster brother convinces the powerful highland laird Gabriel MacBain to put aside his natural repugnance for all things English and wed the girl. Emotionally scarred by her first marriage, Johanna is intimidated both by her strange surroundings and by the outsized, gruff laird; but with the help of an eccentric old soldier and MacBain's illegitimate son, Johanna learns to hold her own with the soldiers, their wives and her new husband. Then an unwelcome surprise tests her newfound courage. Garwood endows the novel with a first-rate setting, a splendid supporting cast and witty dialogue that more than offsets the rote predictability of Johanna's great beauty and MacBain's forceful charisma.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
YA-An entertaining story with many amusing elements. In 1206, a hastily arranged marriage unites Johanna, recent widow, with MacBain, a Scottish laird. The woman learns new customs, creates some problems but solves others, and falls in love with her husband in this turbulent time of mixed loyalties. The characters are believable-they are real people with a variety of emotions, strong allegiances at home and on the battlefield, but are tender and caring individuals too. Sufficient details of the period provide adequate background to make the people and times come alive, but the story doesn't become bogged down with these technicalities. The abundant dialogue, humorous incidents, and quick pace make this a good choice for anyone looking for light historical romance.
Claudia Moore, W.T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
When Lady Johanna is widowed at the age of 16, she is determined never to marry again and become the victim of abuse at the hands of a husband. King John of England, suspecting that Johanna knows a secret that could destroy him, has chosen another brutal baron for her next husband. Johanna's foster brother finds her a suitable hero in the form of Scottish laird Gabriel McBain, who weds Johanna in order to control the land she brings as a dowry. Johanna must not only adjust to life in the Highlands, but she must also win the respect of McBain and his recently unified clan. He is an arrogant hero who seems to be always arguing and shouting, habits that begin to wear on the reader if not the heroine. Johanna is a woman with a 20th-century sense of independence and self-worth that plays surprisingly well in the 13th-century setting. Romance fans will be demanding this first hardcover from the best-selling paperback author of The Gift (Pocket, 1991).
- Kimberly Martin, Washington Univ. Law Lib., St. Louis
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Among one of Julie Garwood's finests love stories!
I have to admit that this book, like most of Ms. Garwood's books have very similar characters. Her perference of 'huge' and outwardly grumpy hero and small and femine heroine are evident once again in this book. However, this book is still exciting, fun, loving and beautifully written. Through reading the book, you see the transformation of Lady Johanna from a timid, scared girl into a courage, smart young woman. Her suffering at the hands of her ex-husband and ex-priest was extremely sad and painful to read. Gabriel is the biggest teddy bear among all of Ms. Garwood's heros. He was allowed to believe that he is in total control of the marriage all throughout the book which created a lot of funny circumstances. All of the supporting characters, brother, first-in-commands, son.. etc are all well written and had great personalities. I also love the scenes related to how the clan tried to please Johanna and behave themselves. This is a great book... the storey is cohensive and moved along at a good pace. It is always refreshing to read a romance novel that the hero and heroine are not consistently misunderstanding each other and at each other's throat. Their acceptance of their marriage and great sex is also great in the story. If you have never read a Garwood book, this one you should definitely pick up.

A sequel needed!
My sister told me to read this book for the longest time. The reason why I prolong reading this one is cuz I didn't like the synopsis in the back of the book. Call me old fashion but I prefer my heroine a virgin. Since Johanna was once married, she didn't peaked my interest. I also thought I was getting tired of Julie Garwood's style of similar characteristics in her novels but I was wrong. Sure, this one does have a share of similar descriptions (such as heroine has freckles in nose, smells like rose and hero's a big, tall handsome warrior) just like on her other books, but i still love it :-) It's been awhile since I read a Julie Garwood novel, I just realized how much I love her style. The humor, the romance, the secondary characters that adds spice to the story & of course, the unexpected twist. What more can a reader want? Once again, this book trully satisfied me. I was entertained more than I expected. I should have read this one as soon as my sister told me to.

I read here in Amazon that some readers don't find Johanna an interesting heroine because of her timidity and weakness. In my opinion, this is what made her different and more appealing. Yes, she WAS timid and I can't say I blame her considering her past marriage. I would find the story too far fetch if Johanna would right away snapped out of her timidity and fear after what had happend to her once before. She lived in fear, she walked on eggshells for far too long to simply be bold & audacious. The readers will also consider that Johanna was in a different environment, married (2nd time) to a stranger who's a big handsome brute, wouldn't u be timid and scared? It took time for her to trust McBain, it took time for her to come out of her shell. Deep down,she is actually fiery, spirited, spunky & a courageous woman. She just needs some encouragement, stability and security to let that flow out. She was married too young the first time (and what a mess that was) and therefore, didn't really know herself until McBain taught her how to find her true identity. In short, I think Johanna's character developed perfectly and realistically. As for their age difference, well, i do agree it's somewhat a big gap but I overlook this flaw merely because they fit in together.

I agree with quite a few reviewers comments here however, that this book needs a sequel.

Second Chance at a Wonderful Book
I've spent the past week in a happy Julie Garwood book re-reading daze. I whizzed through eight of her historicals and left Saving Grace for last. For some reason I had convinced myself that Saving Grace was good - but not great - and that the novel wasn't as strong as say, The Secret, Ransom, or Honor's Splendour. I couldn't have been more wrong. The more I read, the more enchanted I became. Saving Grace deals with a very serious issue (domestic abuse) and I think this is why I rushed through it during the first read. However, I now realise that it's a super book with absolutely lovable characters, and a fine addition to the Scottish Laird / English Lady Garwood books.

Lady Johanna is simply wonderful; she enters the book as quite shy and scared as she has been beaten many times by her deceased first husband and yet she still manages to hold her own with Laird Gabriel. I liked it that first of all Johanna had difficulty fitting in with her new clan - any woman would be vulnerable and untrusting at first if they had experienced Johanna's past and yet she becomes stronger and braver with each day that passes. Johanna is actually very clever and analytical, as well as being sweet and kind hearted. Gabriel is off the chart as a hero. What is so special about him is that as well as being strong and brave he is also very sensitive to Johanna's feelings and never treats her cruelly - in fact he is very considerate and kind as he tries to earn her trust (without being soppy). Gabriel was stigmatised as being illegitimate when he was younger and had a hard upbringing and I think this is part of the reason why he suits Johanna so well. I especially liked the way that the author told you about how vulnerable Gabriel felt as a boy and how he dreamed about having a lovely wife and home as it showed a softer side to the powerful Laird. Johanna and Gabriel are clearly perfect for each other. There are great secondary characters too. Auggie (an old man obsessed with golf), Alex (a boy Gabriel claims as his son), and Dumphries (a dog Gabriel rescued) all have their own unique personalities and quirks.

The plot is great. It gives you some information about the horrible ways that women were restrained and abused in the past without going into too many details. There is plenty of hilarious dialogue between Johanna and Gabriel and Johanna comes out with loads of funny sayings (There's more than one way into a keep!). The ending ties up the loose ends nicely and the reader has no trouble in imagining Johanna and Gabriel living as a happy, passionate married couple for the rest of their lives. Sigh! :-)
JoAnne