Highland Rebel by Judith James
ISBN: 9781402224331
Historical Romance, 480 pages
Sourcebooks Casablanca
An imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc.

Review copy courtesy of Sourcebooks Casablanca

Set in a dangerous time of religious and political upheaval and civil war, Highland Rebel tells the story of Catherine Drummond and Jamie Sinclair, two proud and lonely outcasts whose struggle for acceptance and survival draws them together in a partnership based on mutual interest that will transform them both. In a world where family, creed, and princes can’t be trusted, and faith fuels intolerance, hatred, and war, they’ll soon find themselves on opposite sides of a growing conflict that will force them to question everything they know, and test the bounds of friendship, loyalty and love. – Author’s website

I haven’t read a romance novel in over twenty years, so when I decided to spread my wings and try a genre I’m unfamiliar with, I decided my love for historical fiction may come in handy. Thus choosing this book as my re-introduction was a wise decision.

I wasn’t sure what to expect, and let me be honest; the graphic sex was low on the list. I expected tension and erotica, that for me is a given. The rest? Surprising yes, but well done in my opinion. The author deftly integrated all of the above, and never once made me feel it was for mere titillation. Every act, every time, was part of the plot and the characterizations, allowing each to grow and move forward.

Besides the obvious theme of romance; treachery, debauchery, and loyalty also have their part in this story. What I liked most was the fact that although thrown together in marriage by an impetuous choice, Jamie and Catherine (Cat) learn to be friends then lovers. This friendship, as in all relationships, is the foundation that sees them through difficult times; times where few can be trusted.

Jaime has never learned how to trust or remain loyal to any one cause or person. Cat has known nothing else. Raised by a society that values loyalty and virtue, she is confounded by Jamie’s behavior. From the beginning, she sees beyond many of the façades he has so carefully crafted since childhood.

He in turn is challenged by this woman who is like no other. A true warrior in many ways, she is also beautiful, learned, and has a wit that holds its own against his.

The characters are well drawn. My only issue being that some minor ones are presented to the reader all in one go. It was much like shaking someone’s hand and by the time you pulled away you knew the name of their uncle’s second wife’s first pet’s name.

It could be me perhaps, as I do like good characters and bad ones to grow on me a little. But in some stories, it just isn’t possible to do this and keep the book from being twice its length. And at 480 pages, this book is long enough. This is not a criticism. The plot moves along at a pace such that you quickly forget the heft. I read this in less than two days; it went that well.

I would normally provide several quotes to give you an idea of the style, but as this is a galley, I cannot. I can say that the author does uses descriptive prose quite a bit, but in a way to ensure the reader has a clear mental picture of the setting.

Rating this book has been difficult, for as I stated above, I have little knowledge of this genre. In looking at it technically, it rates well. The author has done her research, understands the dynamics of multi-layered relationships, and never once made me feel I was reading something raunchy, despite the graphic scenes it contains.

If you are a fan of romance, and don’t have an issue with the story containing erotica and sex, then this is an author and a book I highly recommend.

Judith James has worked as a legal assistant, trail guide, and for fifteen years as a counselor. Her personal journey has taken her many different places, including the Arctic and the West Coast.  After years of looking for the right place to settle, she’s finally found it beside the Atlantic Ocean. Her writing combines her love of history and adventure with her keen interest in the complexities of human nature, and the heart’s capacity to heal.

The Book of Other People

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The theme of this book is about character, literally. According to the editor of this anthology, the task given to each author was to make someone up – that’s all.

The hope was that the finished book might be a lively demonstration of the fact that there are as many ways to create ‘character’ (or deny the possibility of ‘character’) as there are writers.

I think this has to be one of the most unique reasons for putting together an anthology that I’ve ever heard of; needless to say I was happy to get a hold of this book and check it out for myself.

The nice thing about anthologies is that they do not have to be read linearly. Thus I thumbed my way around until I came across a name that intrigued me. This happened to be the story by Heidi Julavits called “Judge Gladys Parks Schultz”.

However, there is a problem with writing a review of this story. The premise is the spoiler.

Oh dear. How do I write this review without giving away too much or everything? How do I write this so that even though I may give it away, you would still want to read the story?

I think I will just keep this short and sweet as to tell you the truth, the story and its premise is not really a stand-out for me.

Not that it is a huge shock when it’s discovered. And it wasn’t until I went back to re-read the beginning that I realized the first sentence gives it away. Doh!

So, if you miss it as I did, then yes, the ending is a surprise, but not so great as to produce a hearty, “Ah ha! I knew it!” or “Wow, the writer really pulled one over on me there.” Perhaps it’s because my subconscious was on top of its game from the get go, while the rest of my brain was still in the locker room trying to remember how to tie its shoelaces.

It’s a good story, but I have a feeling it’s not the best one of the bunch. It starts off strong, the narrative and tone one that I found I liked. However, I was ready for it to end when it did.

I am giving this story a rating of 3 Stars. It was enjoyable, but nothing that had me thinking I would have trouble putting it down if interrupted.

As I plan on reading one to two short stories every week, I will try to review one story from this book every Sunday (for C.B.’s Short Story Sunday) until I finish it. This actually is fitting since I won this book from him during the last Read-A-Thon hosted by the late Dewey.

A new generation is growing up in our midst, a generation actuated by new ideas and new principles. It is serious and enthusiastic for these new ideas and its enthusiasm, even when it is misdirected, is, I believe, in the main sincere…sometimes I fear that this new generation, educated or hypereducated as it is, will lack those qualities of humanity, of hospitality, of kindly humor which belonged to an older day.

There was grace and mystery in her attitude as if she were a symbol of something. He asked himself what is a woman standing on the stairs in the shadows, listening to distant music, a symbol of.