The Secret

Highlands' Lairds, Book 1

By: Julie Garwood

Narrated by: Susan Duerden

Length: 12 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times best-selling author Julie Garwood captures the Highland splendor of medieval Scotland in this breathtaking love story. The inspiration for her acclaimed bestseller 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 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!

©2013 Julie Garwood (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

A Nice Try...

While I believe the writer was trying to explore and explain human motivations, the characters sometimes seemed bi-polar. The male characters zip between rage and kind understanding. And while the female characters have admirable and mature qualities, they giggle and talk like 12 years olds. This could be due more to the narrator than the writing. I think I may have really enjoyed this novel when I was 15, but it felt a bit like a waste of time as an adult.

Good story, awful reader

I liked the story even if the heroine and other females whispered way too much, but the reader...! Her speech pattern was unbearable, and the voices she did were even worse. The women and children sometimes sounded outright creepy, and the men.. some of them sounded like oily womenizers and some of them sounded like Gollum.

A Scottish Warrior & An English Lady

I loved this book - it’s actually my third time to read it. Susan Duerden is amazing. I love her voices for the Scottish warriors as well as the women, and her accents are great.

The book is set in the reign of King John of England. It’s a wonderful mixture of medieval mindsets and the introduction of rights of women.

Loved it

Loved the story and the narration was spot on! Look forward to more in the series

This one did not disappoint!!!

After a long absence of reading any Julie Garwood this one was so very good!!! I could hardly put it down!!

One of my Favorites

Love love love this series and I keep listening to this book over and over whenever I can't find a good book I just red listen to it.

My Favorite Julie Garwood story

Loved the performance. Always love the story. I have listened to it several times. I picked this book for my bookclub for a fun summer read and everyone still talks about how much they enjoyed it.

Enjoyed this book

While probably not historically correct, the story was enhanced by the characters. I laughed so hard at times that I thought I would cry. This one is to savored like a fine wine or exceptionally good meal.

I love this story!

I could have done without the "male" voices....but that's just me, otherwise I still love this story

Susan Duerden sucks as a narrator!

This was a good story, but I really, really dislike the way Susan Duerden narrates for Scottish men! She makes them sound like mean trolls! Even the male protagonist! I hated listening to her rendition of the Scottish men! What's strange is that the women all sound normal! She only does it to there men! With we r she has something against Scottish men, or she hates men in general! She was terrible! They're I will dilagently check each Audible book to make sure I never listen to her again!
The story was okay but it's too modernized with " women's rights" which didn't happen until much later!