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The Secret Audiobook
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(4.00) - 15,717 listener ratings
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Plot Summary
This first installment of the Highlands' Lairds series, and the inspiration for the bestselling Ransom, fans of Julie Garwood will fall in love with this passionate masterpiece that started it all.
A beautiful woman, Judith Hampton was also full of pride and loyalty. She had begun a journey to reunite with a pregnant childhood friend, about to give birth, but her quest for connection had another reason to take her back home. It was her father, Laird Maclean, a man whom she had never met. What could have surprised her more, though, than the enticing Scotsman who was to escort her back to her roots? The laird of his clan, Iain Maitland was larger than life, at least to the life of Judith Hampton.
In a conflict of culture and purpose, Iain and Judith are both perplexed and seduced by one another's differences, the very contrasts which pull them together. But the dark secret of the identity of Judith's father threatens unhinge this heavenly bond.
Julie Garwood was born in 1944 in Missouri. She has penned over twenty seven romance novels, and has been on the New York Times best seller list for 24 of her books. She missed a large amount of school as a child on account of a tonsillectomy and did not learn to read until eleven years old. Reading had a tremendous impact on her life; Garwood named her daughter after the nun Sister Elizabeth who taught her how to read.
"I won't be writing a review but I will write a few of my thoughts on this book. As much as a I liked the light-hearted tone of this book, I also felt that Julie Garwood essentially just glossed over any drama or angst. It was almost like she wanted to simplify everything for us. The plot wasn't very sophisticated, but I enjoyed her writing and wit enough for the plot to not really matter. I was slightly disappointed in the ending. The ending of a romance novel is usually the best part of the book but I think this one had it back to front. The book started out great, stayed great but fell off a bit towards the end. Perhaps it was just missing that extra bit of excitement. I would definitely recommend this book to readers who want to read a historical romance without drama and angst."
— Sophie (4 out of 5 stars)
Publisher Summary
New York Times bestselling 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!
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The Secret Listener Reviews
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Deborah, 8/25/2022
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Lorraine, 12/26/2019
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Pam Dickson, 3/12/2015
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" This is a really good book and really sweet the way she descirbes the male character is so good that i makes me want to be the girl in the story. "
— Lady, 2/17/2014 -
" Great historical romance from a period of time I know virtually nothing about. The history kept it very interesting - clan dynamics, women vs. men, etc. "
— Annette, 2/7/2014 -
" Julie Garwood has written another winner! I really enjoyed the story and I look forward to the sequel, RANSOM. "
— Sharal, 2/2/2014 -
" Really good, doesn't leave you with the happiest of spirits even though the ending is a happy one. "
— Happy, 1/18/2014 -
" this is my first book i read from julie garwood, love it love it love it...just read it yourself...speechless. the plot is damn good. "
— Susan, 12/30/2013 -
" Actually 4 1/2 stars. A delightful read. A spirited and intelligent heroine, and a good hero, this is highly recommended. "
— Anne, 12/7/2013 -
" 2.5 stars - OK, but not unique for this genre. "
— Lori, 11/24/2013 -
" Yay, I found a new historical romance author I can read from! "
— Emily, 11/11/2013 -
" i liked this book it made me smile "
— StrawBerry, 9/3/2013 -
" Mau dunk punya misua ky' Iain...yg sayank bgt ma istrinya,w sukaaa bgt ma cerita ni buku 2 thumbsup deh ^^ "
— ceacily, 8/25/2013 -
" This was the first romance I ever read and I try to read it once a year. "
— Katrina, 6/13/2013 -
" One of my All Time Favs!! I can read this one every month and not get bored. "
— Ali, 5/8/2013 -
" I would say this is one amusing and beautifully written fiction. The characters personality are likable, they could be serious at times and suddenly becoming light. "
— Lynette, 4/11/2013 -
" Definitely not on the same level as The Bride , but it was an okay read "
— Jenny, 4/7/2013
About Julie Garwood
Julie Garwood is among a critically acclaimed and popular romance authors around, published in thirty-two languages worldwide with forty million copies of her books in print. She is the author of numerous bestsellers, of which more than a dozen have made the New York Times bestsellers list.
About Susan Duerden
Susan Duerden is an actress and an Earphones Award–winning audiobook narrator. Her reading of The Tiger’s Wife by Téa Obreht earned her an AudioFile Best Voice Award and a Booklist Editors’ Choice Award. She has won ten AudioFile Earphones Awards. Here career spans film, television, theater, voice-overs, and animation. She has played critically acclaimed and award-winning theatrical roles on London’s West End and Off Broadway; acted in the features Lovewrecked and Flushed Away; and held a recurring role on ABC’s Lost.