The Laird by Virginia Brown. Bell Bridge Books, 2002, 2018.

Set in in the early 1300, this book tells the story of young, widowed Judith, daughter of an English earl, and Rob, a Scottish laird in his own right, injured and recently released from prison. At the direction of his overlord, Rob’s father, the Laird of Lochawe, kidnaps an orphaned child-heiress in Judith’s charge and takes Judith as well. Rob’s seven brothers die in the raid.

Although I enjoyed reading this engaging, well written story with its appealing hero and heroine, and its well-developed supporting characters, I found the unrelenting conflict numbing, and wished for less. I will remember this book for the depiction of a laird’s unquestioning fealty to his overlord.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of The Laird via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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The Laird by Virginia Brown had an authentic historical Scottish vs English backdrop with an engaging, intriguing, well scripted story line featuring a a main couple who ended up being perfect for each other. Really, that pretty much sums up this book for me. I especially enjoyed the fact Judith and Rob really got to know and respect each other before becoming intimate. No doubt, Rob put everything on the line, including his life, to save her even before they became an official couple.

I loved Judith’s devotion and determination to protect a child whom had been placed in her care. She was no shrinking violet, folks.

This “new to me” author has made my Scottish romantic tale radar, and I’ll be keeping an eye out for more of her past, present, and future books.

Title: The Laird, Author: Virginia Brown, Pages: 245, stand-alone, enemies to lovers, Scottish laird hero, English widow heroine, some bloody fight scenes, very steamy smexy scenes late in the book, really get to know each other first, no love triangle, no cheating, no OW/OM drama.

(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review. There is no affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)

"The Laird" was an unexpected delight to read. I imagine this novel will be scooped up by Outlander and Historical Fiction enthusiasts alike. The characters are complex and genuine. Virginia Brown does an excellent job describing the Scottish history and landscape leaving the reader dreaming about life in the highlands. Judith Lindsay is the heroine of the novel. Judith is a widow and has yet to find a place where she really feels a sense of belonging. Because of her past, Judith sets her expectations high and holds her ground even when she doesn't have a reason to have hope. The confident and ambitious Robert Campbell is an equal force to reckon with. Rob is determined to stay true to his morals and obligations no matter what the cost. He is limited it seems, only by his physical body, which occasionally fails him.

My one criticism for this novel is the excessive use of figurative language in the first few pages. The flowery prose was a bit unnecessary and as a result the sentences did not flow as naturally as they could. Although, once you trek on past the first few pages the writing style becomes more natural and effortless to read.

Overall I thought "The Laird" was a wonderful and after reading it, I am excited to delve into more of Virginia Brown's novels to see what they are like. I would definitely recommend reading this book!

I also want to thank NetGalley and Bell Bridge Books for the opportunity to have an advanced ebook of "The Laird" to read and review.

I am giving a fair and honest review in return for this ARC. What a good well written story. Braw Scots, betrayal, treason and finding your one true love.