During the time of the Crusades, while seeking an easier path to vanquish the heathens of the east, adventurers traveled through the tiny country then known as Monechanceux. Not content to pursue their cause in those far away lands; they demanded payment from the people of Monechanceaux. Their king, however, good King Grenier found a way to outwit these travelers—he changed the name of the country to St. Biel and turning the tables on the foreigners, charged them a toll to pass through the peaceful mountain country, telling them that these funds would go directly to the Pope in Rome. So began the story of the treasure of St. Biel. 

The Crusades are over, King John is on the throne, and favorites are played against each other for his amusement. Among them were Barons Percy and Coswold who both vied for the hand of Princess Gabrielle of St. Biel. It was not merely Gabrielle’s hand they wanted, despite her beauty. No, it was the dowry she would bring with her. Gabrielle was neither amused nor had any liking for either of the two barons, but she did honor her king. When John contracted a marriage between Gabrielle and the Scottish Laird Monroe, she dutifully journey north accompanied by her four faithful guards, Stephen, Christien, Faust and Lucien. Before she can wed Monroe, two things happen: Gabrielle kills a man and Monroe is struck down enroute to his wedding.  

Not ones to miss an opportunity, Percy and Coswold have also hastened to Gabrielle’s wedding. As soon as all hear that Monroe has been killed, the barons immediately begin again to vie for Gabrielle’s hand. Before their pursuit is far along, one oh so bitter woman denounces Gabrielle as a woman of ill-repute, in short order Gabrielle is stoned and turned out of the very abbey where she was to be wed. There is one, however, who knows her to be innocent—Colm MacHugh.  

Colm has journeyed to the abbey in search of his brother, Liam, who was nearly killed by unknown brigands. In a decision that will change their lives forever, Colm helps Gabrielle escape, brings her to his stronghold and, as a solution to her problems, proposes marriage. While Gabrielle has always hoped to follow her parents’ example and marry for love, she must choose between safety with Colm or risk her life by returning to England. 

Master story teller Julie Garwood just delivers better and better stories for her readers. Open the pages of any of her books and fall in love again for the first time. Her writing is magical—indeed, in a reading world that seems to see more and more paranormals or magic interspersed in its stories, Ms. Garwood needs only her way with words and heart warming characters. If there is any complaint about her books, it is that they come to their end. She leaves her reader wanting more of her richly written romance. From the opening of SHADOW MUSIC the reader’s imagination is captured with the picture Ms. Garwood paints of St. Biel and how it came upon its name. From there she creates characters that are so very memorable. With the turn of a phrase the reader feels as if they are a part of the story, joining in the action and as if the characters are there before them.  

Colm is positively to die for. He is not the wounded alpha male—rather he is an honorable man who knows his mind with a strong sense of right and wrong, the one scene that stood out for this reviewer as just who and what Colm is, was when he prepares to go to war. When Gabrielle lists a host of items to bring including tents, wine and other accoutrements the English of the times would bring, he states he has his horse and sword—what more does he need? He is a complex, multi-dimensional character in his simplicity. Gabrielle is the perfect heroine. She is the kind of woman another woman would like as a friend. Warm, loving, giving and not afraid to stand up for herself.  

Ms. Garwood also treats her readers to a slice of her humor with Father Gelroy and his antics. If there was one request this reviewer could make of Ms. Garwood, it would be a five-fold one: a story each for Liam, Faust, Christien, Lucien and dear Stephen. 

SHADOW MUSIC is a strong for now and later. To be fell in love with again and again.

February 2008

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