I have started reading a lot of historical fiction and nonfiction, and have found Haywood's Altas to be very useful. It works well as an introduction, being quite readable and succinct. In addition, it is an excellent reference to use when reading nonfiction tombs that presume we all know where all the Hittites came from, or how the Illyrians migrated to Italy. Just easily finding Zhou, or Thrace on a map has been a big help for me. A good atlas, well worth the reasonably price.

I was first introduced to Julie Garwood after skimming through an excerpt of MERCY in the Cosmopolitan magazine. After reading that book, I read HEARTBREAKER. Then, I embarked upon reading her historical titles.

As always, Garwood writes a tale about love, passion, and intrigue. SG takes place in the Highlands of medieval Scotland. The novel is truly captivating - for its memorable story, well-depicted characters, and excellent writing. Out of all the handsome, powerful, arrogant, and gallant heroes that grace the historical romance world, Scottish Laird Gabriel McBain is by far my most favorite warrior. He is a tender and passionate lover. Unlike many heroes, he does not torment himself, or struggle with the fact that he actually loves his wife! He accepts Johanna for who she is; he welcomes her love with open arms; and he protects her with all his might. Lady Johanna is wonderfully crafted as the golden-haired English beauty. Of course, she's clever, strong-willed, loyal, and absolutely devoted to McBain. Together, they make one of Garwood's most beloved couples.

I have read all of Ms. Garwood's books, except PRINCE CHARMING, COME THE SPRING, THE ROSE TRILOGY, KILLJOY, and A GIRL NAMED SUMMER. Her ability to entertain readers with her wonderful prose style is invaluable to the literary world. She's a masterful storyteller. After reading this book, I highly recommend that you read HONOR'S SPLENDOR, THE LION'S LADY, THE BRIDE, THE SECRET, and RANSOM. All of her books are great and very entertaining, but these 4 represent her best works.

I cherish SG, because it's the first historical romance novel that I ever read. It is a definite must-have for all romance readers alike.

I was first introduced to Julie Garwood after skimming through an excerpt of MERCY in the Cosmopolitan magazine. After reading that book, I read HEARTBREAKER. Then, I embarked upon reading her historical titles.

As always, Garwood writes a tale about love, passion, and intrigue. SG takes place in the Highlands of medieval Scotland. The novel is truly captivating - for its memorable story, well-depicted characters, and excellent writing. Out of all the handsome, powerful, arrogant, and gallant heroes that grace the historical romance world, Scottish Laird Gabriel MacBain is by far my most favorite warrior. He is a tender and passionate lover. Unlike many heroes, he does not torment himself, or struggle with the fact that he actually loves his wife! He accepts Johanna for who she is; he welcomes her love with open arms; and he protects her with all his might. Lady Johanna is wonderfully crafted as the golden-haired English beauty. Of course, she's clever, strong-willed, loyal, and absolutely devoted to MacBain. Together, they make one of Garwood's most beloved couples. I cherish SG, because it's the first historical romance novel that I ever read. I believe it's a definite must-have for all romance readers alike.

I have read all of Ms. Garwood's books, except PRINCE CHARMING, COME THE SPRING, THE ROSE TRILOGY, KILLJOY, and A GIRL NAMED SUMMER. Her ability to entertain readers with her wonderful prose style is invaluable to the literary world. She's a masterful storyteller. After reading this book, I highly recommend that you read HONOR'S SPLENDOR, THE LION'S LADY, THE BRIDE, THE SECRET, and RANSOM. All of her books are great and very entertaining, but these 4 represent her best works.

My favorite Julie Garwood novel, Saving Grace focuses on the theme of spousal abuse in a Medieval historical setting. Johanna, who suffered at the hands of her dead husband Baron Raulf was a physically and psychologically abused child bride. She learns what marriage and love are really meant to be and discovers passion when she remarries Highland Laird Gabriel Macbain in order to escape the threat of imprisonment or worse at the hands of the king of England. Macbain, a former outcast and illegitimate son of a Scottish Laird, has formed his own clan of other outcasts and has taken on the task of uniting his clan with another. He marries Johanna, primarily in order to gain control of the land that she has inherited, but he quickly falls in love with her and vows never to let anyone mistreat her again. With the love of her archangel Gabriel, Johanna begins to overcome her fear and takes back her life. This JG novel has it all, Brilliant leading characters who stay in your thoughts, passion that makes you burn, mystery/plot that keeps moving, tenderness and sensitivity which lift your spirit, healing that touches your soul, wit and humour which will make you laugh out loud. Ms.Garwood has gone far beyond the norm with SG, it makes you think twice about "romance" writing.