Ransom

Highlands' Lairds, Book 2

By: Julie Garwood

Narrated by: Susan Duerden

Length: 15 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

Overflowing with all of the majesty and intrigue of medieval glory days, this magnificent New York Times best seller is a captivating story of passion and loyalty, justice and honor. Beloved storyteller Julie Garwood steps back to the silver-shrouded Highlands of her classic tale The Secret - and hails the return of two unforgettable warriors: Ramsey Sinclair and Brodick Buchanan.

In the dark days after the death of Richard the Lionhearted, lives and lands would fall into upheaval at the hands of a power-hungry British ruler and his violent minions. One victim of the scourge is innocent Gillian, who is a mere child when the cruel and ambitious Baron Alford slaughters her father and tears her family apart. Alford, determined to recover a jeweled box for the despotic King John, is furious when the precious treasure slips through his fingers - only to be lost for more than a decade.

Now a beautiful young woman, Gillian finds the key to resolving her past in handsome Scottish chieftains Ramsey Sinclair and Brodick Buchanan. With the cunning and courage of the daring Scotsmen, and with the friendship of a new ally, Bridgid KirkConnell, Gillian at last fights the unscrupulous Baron Alford, laying claim to her home, her family, and her father's reputation. But in the presence of the mighty warriors, Gillian and Bridgid discover that desire can be a weapon of conquest...betrayal can slay trust in a heartbeat...and the greatest risk of all is surrender - to the deep emotions of unexpected love.

©2010 Julie Garwood (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Love this book

This is one of her best books I’ve read it several times , I would like to have another book about them

The ultimate page turner

Any additional comments?

Skillfully paced, multifaceted characters, gripping adventure, breathtaking setting, and stunning romance. Susan Duerden does a fantastic job narrating. As a British woman, she seems to have an innate knack for imitating the Scottish brogue.

I continually noticed Garwood’s skill in pacing. Never was there a dull moment. When one exciting thing ended, another was starting. After the 2.5 hour mark, I was having trouble pausing the audiobook - I was totally hooked. The descriptive writing made me feel like I was dropped into medieval Scotland, and the day after I finished the audiobook, I found myself wishing I could go back.

The characters were another strong point for me. The two leads, I’ve decided, are one of my favorite romance couples of all time. Gillian was a brave young woman with strong convictions. She never forgot the horrors she experienced as a young girl, and instead of becoming timid and weak (like her sister), she grew to be bold, fighting to rectify what was done to her and her family. Brodick is your typical alpha male - arrogant, rough-edged, possessive - but with a righteous nature. His character is well-suited to Gillian (she doesn’t need to be coddled, but at the same time she appreciates his protectiveness).

I thought it would be useful to discuss why I preferred Ransom to its predecessor (The Secret). Not to say I didn’t love The Secret and that it isn't worth buying, but The Secret was more strictly a love story, and much more light hearted. Ransom was a love story filled with adventure, danger, injustice, and harrowing journeys. There were kidnappings, deadly battles, family tragedy, cruel villains, assassination attempts, a brush with English royalty, and even a mysterious treasure. The historical detail (about both England and Scotland) was a fascinating touch. When comparing the two books, because The Secret was less of an emotional roller coaster. The love story between Brodick and Gillian was a tumultuous journey. The passion between them was edgier, rougher, and more demanding - which is a plus for me. Because of Gillian’s past and therefore her tough attitude, she seemed, to me, a bolder, more passionate lover than Judith from The Secret. Not to say Gillian is prickly and cold - she and Judith both exhibited emotional warmth and a need to nurture that was wonderfully feminine. Even though the content in Ransom was often dark, Garwood's trademark humor managed to seep in, too. So it really depends on what kind of love story you are drawn to, but if you like more of an action/adventure/suspense, then I think you’ll prefer Ransom’s tempestuous plot. Listen to them both though - Garwood is fantastic! One of my new favorite writers.

Love Those Lairds

Would you consider the audio edition of Ransom to be better than the print version?

Both are brilliant, if you can't sit down to read it, you can enjoy listening to it.

What other book might you compare Ransom to and why?

In Bed with a Highlander by Maya Banks

What does Susan Duerden bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Great voices, I love her narration, some people don't, but I think she is fantastic.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, I actually read the book in one sitting over a weekend. I really couldn't put it down.

Any additional comments?

I love this Highland Laird Series. It's quirky. The characters are fun & charming.
The dialogue between the Lairds, and there wives is brilliant.
The secondary characters are also lively and charming.
I love all of Julie Garwood's historicals, they are so worth the credits.

Enjoy!

Loved this book

Any additional comments?

The story starts rather slow and then once all characters are formed, it grips you to the point where its hard to put it down. Gillian once grown, is threatened by Baron Alford, the man who killed her father, to set out for Scotland & find her long lost sister and to bring her and the jeweled box belonging to King John back to him. If she does not carryout his orders, he threatens to kill her uncle who raised her. She flees with a five year old boy taken hostage by the Baron mistaken for the Laird Ramsey’s younger brother. In order to get Laird Brodick’s attention and assistance she claims to be his betrothed and since she makes that claim, unfamiliar with the law of the land, she is unaware that by making that claim she is to marry the Laird.
I highly recommend this book. This is a sweet and lovely story. Wish all men were like the Highlanders!!!

Love this Book

I love this book have read it too many times to count and now have listened to if not the same amount pretty darn close I love everything about it and I love Julie Garwood she is a wonderful writer. The narrator is amazing she really brings the story alive.

One of my Garwood favorites

I’ve read the book several times and the audio version is great too. Fun story, great characters and great performance on the narration. Brodick was also in Secrets, another great book by Garwood.

Fabulous!

A wonderful tale by Julie Garwood. And Susan Duerden does an awesome job with the accents in the narration.

My all time favorite book, love Julie writing!

I have this book in paperback, kindle and now Audiobooks. It's my Pride and Prejudice, only better!

Ransom

Yes, it was good. Needs a new narrator or male voice. Julie Garwood is an excellent author. Needs to do the story for Ramsey.

Love this book

I listen to this series at least once a year because I love it so much.