The Laird

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.

The Laird is a real standout from much of the other historical fiction I've read, and here's why. Virginia Brown has done her homework on the period and historical events she based this book on. The descriptions of topography, life in a castle, the way people spoke and the clothes they wore, and the dangerous, difficult circumstances that were the reality of the conflict between Scotland and England are remarkably authentic. This is some next level writing. You don't need to know the actual history, but you will feel its weight, and appreciate the dimension added to the story as a result of Ms. Brown's research.

I would not describe The Laird as light-hearted or fun. The story is intense, and there are some dark, raw aspects to the tale, like kidnapping and tragic loss of life. That said, I loved the richness of detail, how the story builds, and how it unfolds. I was banking on a happily ever after for Robert and Judith, but I had no idea how they'd get there! (Pssst, pssst...they do get their HEA. Don't despair.)

Judith's vulnerability, largely because she's an English woman who inherited land and is therefore used as a pawn, made my heart ache. Despite never being seen as a person with aspirations of her own, she is kind and plucky. Judith is brave, loving, and principled. I appreciated her strength of character and selflessness, and can see why Robert Campbell can't resist her. There is no insta-love here...the intimacy builds, and is pretty dang hot.

This is an exciting adventure, and I recommend you let Virginia Brown transport you back in time.

This is a book that I would call "a movie for the mind". There is so much description and imagery that one can see what the author intended e.g. the landscapes, the clothing, the feeling of camaraderie, the love for family, feelings of devotion and loyalty, fear, longing and regret. In those days loyalty right or wrong was expected under the banner of unity. It was tradition. However, for our hero, Laird Robert (Rob) Campbell of Glenlyon, it was different. Having been betrayed by his chief, he one day would reap retribution. Against his best judgement, his father, Laird Angus Campbell of Lochawe and his seven brothers went on a kidnapping mission for their chief Argyll. Rob vehemently tried to stop them, but pride and loyalty would not dissuade Angus or his brothers. After a tragic battle, Angus returns with Lady Judith and the child heiress Mairi. Mairi is betrothed to Argyll's son. Argyll wanted the alliance between his clan and Mairi's clan more than anything. Angus paid a tragic and severe cost for it. He spiraled into drink and tried to pawn the blame off onto Rob and even Lady Judith. When Angus threatens Judith's life, Rob defies his father and whisks Judith to his keep Glenlyon. From their beginning moments that Rob interacted with Judith, he find her beautiful, challenging, stimulating and surprising. She is a mix of intelligent, hardworking, gifted and structured. She began to take on the duties of the Lady of the manor and proved her mettle. The way the author wrote about the romance between Judith and Rob was so realistic. You could feel their emotions at every turn and when they finally came together after their handfasting there was no turning back for either of them. The passion the author wrote into the scenes were tender, gentle and loving. Although Rob did not realize he loved Judith, Judith knew she loved Rob. Judith had never known love before nor respect. Rob treated her with honor and adored her. I felt sorry for Judith. She felt unloved by her English father and unwanted by her Scottish in laws. But Rob opened up a new world for her that she was unwilling to surrender itr. But surrender she did. Angus came to raze Glenlyon to the ground if Rob did not turn over Judith. With Judith a prisoner again, Rob came after her and they both became prisoners. After mixed up loyalties, brave attempts for peace Argyll thought he was going to get his way. But Rob put his faith in his father. Although Angus was loyal to Argyll, Rob placed his life in Angus' hands that he would see Argyll's treachery. Judith was ransomed to her father but escaped her brother when taking her back to England. She was headed back to Glenlyon to wait for Rob. There is so much emotion is this story, a lot of action and drama that it made it hard to put this book down. It kept me turning page after page. It is a wonderful read and I highly recommend it. I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Wonderful, well written highlander romance, that deftly sidestepped lots of pitfalls of this sub genre. The heroine was truly brave and determined, rather than wilful or TSTL. Judith Lennox has been widowed and lives on sufferance at Caddel Castle, as one of the hated English, her father has refused to pay for her return, so she is living on sufferance, barely tolerated at the castle. Her only solace is Mairi, and orphaned heiress who lives at the castle. She is out one day playing with Mairi when they are both abducted by Laird Campbell and 7 of his eight sons, at the direction of Laird Argylle. The sons are all killed when they stop to fight the men who come to rescue Mairi and Judith.

Rob Campbell is the lairds 4 th son, he has spent 3 years in prison due to the betrayal of Lord Argyll, and he has some incriminating evidence against him. He has also been injured and his leg is not healing properly, he was unable to ride after his brothers to stop them.

Rob and Judith are immediately drawn to each other, although they are also wary of each other. Laird Campbell blames Rob and Judith for his son’s deaths, and abuses Judith constantly, Rob eventually has to protect Judith, he takes her to his holding, where they grow closer, and finally overcome their painful pasts to fall in love with each other. Rob and Judith’s family try to interfere to put aside the match, but Judith and Rob will not let each other go.

This was a well written and deftly plotted Scottish romance, that was a cut above most of the recent ones, I will read more by this author.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

If I had to pick up books that I would always read - that would be Highlander's books.
I want to read every one of them and most likely I would not regret it!
The Laird by Virginia Brown is the first book that I have chance to read by this author.
The story was good, the writing was also good, and of course the romance (first and secondary characters) was also good!
I definitely have to read more book written by this author!

Judith is my kind of heroine...she fights for what she thinks is right. Rob has been betrayed...more than once, and Judith becomes his light! Very good story, great secondary characters. You will love this story.

"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.

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.)