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Highland Velvet (Montgomery #4)

4.02 of 5 stars 4.02 · rating details · 5,701 ratings · 91 reviews

Bronwyn MacArran was a proud Scot. Stephen Montgomery was one of the hated English. He came to Scotland as a conqueror, saw her beauty and was vanquished. But still she would abhor him.

She owned a temper hot enough to forge the armors of battle or inflame a valiant soldier's passion. Yet still she would resist him.

She became his reason to live, his reason to love. And stil...more

ebook, 368 pages

Published August 27th 2003 by Pocket Books (first published 1982)

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Sep 16, 2011 Amy rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. A friend of mine from High School recently told me that I recommended this book to her when we were Freshman. I don't remember this book at all, so I wanted to get into my 14 year old mind. What was I reading back then? What was important to me? Now I know... smut, smut, and more smut. As a 36 year old, I find myself embarrassed by my 14 year old self again and again!

I went from reading Sweet Valley High books to this type of book. I only read historical romances for a short time. I remember whe...more A friend of mine from High School recently told me that I recommended this book to her when we were Freshman. I don't remember this book at all, so I wanted to get into my 14 year old mind. What was I reading back then? What was important to me? Now I know... smut, smut, and more smut. As a 36 year old, I find myself embarrassed by my 14 year old self again and again!

I went from reading Sweet Valley High books to this type of book. I only read historical romances for a short time. I remember when my best friend and I decided to not read smut books any more. I've never looked back since. With good reason. They just aren't very good!

I gave it two stars because it was entertaining, and kept me turning the page. I can't say that much for The Picture of Dorian Gray (Oscar Wilde) or Catch 22 (Joseph Heller). But some aspects of the writing were infuriating to me. The two main characters were completely inconsistent and daft. When I read this as a child I thought my naiveté kept me from understanding the character shifts. Now I know that I didn't understand the shifts in character because they were unrealistic and impossible. One minute Bronwyn, the main character, was stark raving, in-your-face mad because her husband was jealous, but when he was drunkenly caught with another woman Bronwyn sulked, ran away, and all of a sudden realized that she loved him. She went from being chronically combative to submissively sweet. Ugh! Even writing about it makes me disgusted at Deveraux's writing whims. If it wasn't for Deveraux's constant need to fill in the blanks to the reader I couldn't have guessed what would have prompted the behaviors and sudden change of the characters. And even with her explanations, it didn't make sense. At some point I had to stop analyzing and just tell myself to trust the author and go along with it.

There is a lot of sex scenes here. I didn't read any of them. They are easy to skim because they are just so obvious. Three or four paragraphs is all Jude needs to talk about their love making escapades. All you have to do is read "He touched..." skip to next paragraph "She softly..." next paragraph "He gazed..." Next paragraph... on with the story.

This book was written in 1985 as a story that supposedly took place in the 1500's. Instead of transforming the reader into another time and place, one gets the feeling that all that transpired could have been here and now. Jude Deveraux cut out current feminist mentality and society and pasted it into a scene in the 1500's. Everything is there that we would see now, except for our flushing toilets and running water. Readers are not enhanced by culture, time, or social mores of a time 500 years before the present.

Don't read it. It isn't worth it. If you want to read a good historical romance with excellent writing style and authentic facts check out Here Be Dragons. (less)

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Apr 18, 2011 Elise Wilson rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is my first book by Jude Devereaux. I purchased it because it received such great reviews, but I'm sorry to say that I'm in the minority since I disagree. First, let me state that the author is a good writer. I even liked the plot, where a woman is portrayed as laird, rather than a man. I was looking forward to reading how a woman during that time overcame the many obstacles inherent in assuming such a position -- and yet managed to capture love at the same time.

This proved to be annoying r...more This is my first book by Jude Devereaux. I purchased it because it received such great reviews, but I'm sorry to say that I'm in the minority since I disagree. First, let me state that the author is a good writer. I even liked the plot, where a woman is portrayed as laird, rather than a man. I was looking forward to reading how a woman during that time overcame the many obstacles inherent in assuming such a position -- and yet managed to capture love at the same time.

This proved to be annoying read for me for most of the book. I did not like Bronwyn as a heroine. For most of the book she was childish and constantly complaining, like a spoiled brat, rather than the laird of clan. Even if I consider her young age (almost 20), I cannot excuse her behavior. Young people can be wise and mature. And towards the end, when I thought she had redeemed herself, she goes and blows it -- once again by exercising poor judgment. SPOILER ALERT!!! For example, what woman who has suffered through an attempted rape and a successful abduction would consider meeting alone with an enemy -- while pregnant! It just did not make sense to me.

Stephen was an "okay" hero, but still a bit too self-sacrificing. His love (lust?) for Bronwyn was not realistic, given her behavior. I mean how much can a man take? I did appreciate that he transformed his view of the role of women and of the Scots. However, their romance seemed to be based more on lust than love.

Finally, while well-written, I did not understand the need for the abduction scene nor the loss of life. It was too long and ended so abruptly (even cruelly) that I wonder why the author included it. SPOILER ALERT!!! Nor, do I believe that Stephen or his brothers, as trained warriors, could not find a way to rescue them; they appeared useless or should I say disappeared from the scene!

My favorite "character" in the book was Bronwyn's dog (Irish wolf hound), Rab. His behavior was consistent; he was trained to be a guardian -- to love and protect and he did just that! And I did like reading about the brothers and their family bond.

Several times during my reading I thought of giving up and calling it a loss. I just kept wishing for more and about 3/4 way through the reading got better, but not enough to salvage it. Obviously, Deveraux is a good storyteller, based on positive reviews for many of her books, so I will read more of her work. This one just didn't do it for me.(less)

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Feb 13, 2011 Joy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Joy by: Johanie

Shelves: ebooks, historical-romance

After having read the disappointing “The Velvet Promise”, I was still intrigued with Stephen's story and his Scottish bride who's laird of the MacArran clan. I've always been fond of characters from the Highlands, their traits, mannerisms, expressions, and their burr. I noticed he and Gavin assumed the worst looks of their brides and was astounded to see their real faces, in a way it's stupid but it's best to expect the worst and hope for the best.

In this story, the conflict couldn't be more obv...more

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Oct 15, 2010 Goddess Of Blah rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I loath series, but this particularly book from the series was excellent.

Stephen (as most reviewers have mentioned) is an excellent hero. He's very different from his rich, overly “lordly” dark haired older brother (who epitomises the cliched romantic hero). There's something more to him and that's what makes the book so great.

Bronwyn could be overly dramatic at times which was an annoyance, but one can appreciate her strengths. The other heroine was a sap (Judith) who allowed her husband to tre...more

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May 19, 2013 Red Austin rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Stephen and Bronwyn were like acid and base, salt and pepper, sugar and spice. They are a total opposite of each other which made the story really effective and interesting. You would always want to ask, "How will they love each other?". It seems very impossible but later on, you'll eventually realize that "Opposites do attract."

In the story, it was cute to see the both of them laugh while in serious danger. Yet as the story goes on and on, again, lots of tragedies happened that made me cry. I l...more

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Jun 24, 2011 Highland-dreamer rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I'm not sure what to rate this book. There was a little too much arguing, for one thing. Yes, it does make for great "passion", but I have a hard time believing the steamy hot and ice cold versions of their relationship, with no softening at all. That's a little hard to understand after they'd been so intimate. And then at the end- it was truly horrible what happened to Mary. And what of her attacker? Did he get justice? I'm not sure, as we aren't given any information, only a promise by Roger's...more

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May 09, 2013 Meghan Stith rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

PROS:
- Great story. There was a lot of twists and turns but nothing too outlandish. The plot seemed natural and not that it was trying to hard.
- There was a lot of angst in this book. That created quite a tension between Bronwyn and Stephen.
- Stephen was certainly endearing. I loved his protectiveness over Bronwyn and his family.
- Some good sex scenes, could've used a bit more for my taste, but I enjoyed them.

CONS:
- Bronwyn is stubborn to the point of ridiculousness. This seems to be a trait o...more

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Mar 11, 2012 Violet90 rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I didn't really like this one since it was so long and the heroine got on my nerve so much. I just wanted to slap her all through the novel. She complained a lot and wanted Stephan to become something he was not even though the poor man tried she still didn't like him and always insulted him which made me wonder how a guy like Stephan can love such an annoying and selfish women. Okay I get she loved her clan so what everyone loves their people but do you have to insult every single Englishman an...more

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Jun 25, 2009 Donna rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Bronwyn MacArran, leader of the Clan MacArran since her father's death in battle, surrendered to King Henry VII in order to save her clan. The King has decided that marriage to a good English nobleman will create a bridge between the Scots and the English people. He has promised her to Stephen Montgomery. Their marriage has a rocky start when Stephen's concern for his sister-in-law, who has been at death's door after miscarrying a late term pregnancy, makes him 3 days late for the wedding. It mi...more

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May 07, 2010 Pton rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book is really a 3 but I am giving the extra star to Stephen. I liked him as a hero and he's less annoying than his brother, Gavin. However, Browyn is not as great a heroine as Judith. She just seriously annoyed the heck out of me. She started out as an annoying Gavin who easily believed someone else and then she was just angry and dramatic and just stupid at times. I really disliked her for 3/4s of the book. At the ends, she started redeeming herself. I thought the ending was a bit odd sin...more

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Nov 04, 2011 Rosabella rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Stephen and Brownyn, set against the lovely rugged backdrop of Scotland, are wonderful. They have real chemsitry, and its really lovely seeing their initial hate turn slowly to love. Brownyn is headstrong and puts up a confident front, but inside she's insecure. Stephen is also stubborn as a mule, but he isn't afraid to admit of being wrong and try to remedy it, as opposite of Bronwyn who would die before she admitted to a fault. Put together by the English king, Stephen has to learn that women...more

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Nov 07, 2009 Tasha rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: he-loves-me

This one was a little light, I would consider only 2.75 stars but I'm sucker for anything Highland. I did like that the laird was a women... new. It's the basic arranged marriage, guy thinks he's going to have to marry something horrible. As it turns out she's a beauty and he's smittin'. She actually stabs him on their wedding night which is why I couldn't go less than three stars. When do you ever read about a girl stabbing her husband on their wedding night and it's a romance? Then of course t...more

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Mar 01, 2011 Splage rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: highly-recommended-by-others, bodice-ripper, 2011-read, 3rd-party-mistress-boyfriend-girlfr, cheater-cheater-pumpkin-eater, alpha, families-hate-eachother, family-sisters-brothers-series, forced-marriage

Late for his own wedding by 4 days, not a way to impress a bride that despises you already and has never met you. Especially Bronwyn who is named head of her clan after her father is killed by the hated English- and yes Stephen Montgomery, the groom, is English as well-- another strike. Another great book in the Montgomery series with many twist and turns, ups and downs and great make up sex since the H/h were always fighting.

I really didn't like the heroine at the beginning of the book, she wa

...more

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Dec 20, 2010 Margaret Metz rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I know it isn't historically accurate, but I have to admit that I almost gave it 4 stars just because I'm a sucker for Highland romances in general - and this one has a really great hero to boot. Though there are the expected arranged "save the peace" marriage and "they both hate each other but are secretly attracted" elements - there are also some unique elements. It isn't often a woman is in the position of Laird. She also doesn't just hate him - she stabs him on their wedding night. Talk abou...more

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Apr 17, 2013 Rachel Hollis rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: not-my-favorite

Alright Jude, you lost me.

I started with Black Lion and then went with the first in The Montgomery series and I liked them both. This started well and then it slowly became totally unbelievable.

I kept reading though, even though Stephen was wonderful but Bronwyn still hated him no matter what I still kept going. When they got stranded in the woods and just sort of hung out there, I kept going too. But when they ended up in England he decided to stop over at a friend for a quick trick, you lost m...more

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Jul 16, 2012 Maggie Spry rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012, english, highlander, historical-fiction, regency, romance

I don't know where to start my review on this one.
The hero (Stephen) starts dressing like a highlander and develops a scottish brogue half way through the book. Hmm... not likely. He's a little too good to be true. He even petitions the king to change his last name to hers.
The heroine (Bronwyn) is hateful and finds every oppertunity to berate Stephen no matter how hard he tries to make her happy.
to sum up the book it was little more than annoying.

The next book in the series is Raine's story....more

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Feb 05, 2011 Lady Raven RAVE! rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance

Stephen and Bronwyn what a couple and Bronwyn what a spitfire she had fire in her belly. I Like the second story in the Montgomery saga. This book is an oldie but goodie for me I read it when I Was younger and reading it today I still liked it. This book was issue in 1982 and some books read today does not have the same effect on me. In all it was good action pack nice with some romance thrown in.

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Feb 27, 2012 Wendy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: rhfl-challenge-2012, read-romances

I read this years ago and just did a reread of it and still find it to be great. Jude Deveraux is the master of writing romances I adore. The characters are still great, the story is still fast paced and engaging, and the romance is believable. So great to know that a book I read nearly 20yrs ago that was released in the 80s still has the power to move me. Awesome job Jude Deveraux!

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Mar 09, 2011 L.W. rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

It was pretty predictable, but then thats why I read romances as they all have happy endings. To be honest, the characters were pretty one dimensional, extremely flawed and not very likable. That being said, the story was still readable and entertaining. Not one of my favorites by this author...but being stuck in a hospital bed with only this to read...well it did save my sanity

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Feb 29, 2012 Allison rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was pretty good. Very steamy. But the characters were frustratingly difficult. The whole book I kept wanting them to just get over themselves and then it all resolved in practically the last chapter in four pages. Also, how many plot twists can Jude jam into one book? A duel, a daring cliff rescue, assassination attempt, a kidnapping, I mean what else could she have jammed in here?!?

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Nov 22, 2012 Ana Mayoca rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I have read this book last among the four books of the Velvet series. After reading them four, I couldn't help but grin sheepishly. Undoubtedly, every book have shown us the intensity of the passion of the couples. How alive they have been, how rich, and how in love they have been.

Again, my mind is too muddled to give any decent review for now...

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May 05, 2011 Carmen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-again

This is my absolute all-time FAVORITE book ever! Stephen is that take charge, sweep you off your feet, hero, who also has a strong protective side. Bronwyn is the strong, intelligent, beautiful woman, who all of us aspire to, but have a little bit of it in ourselves. This is a true adventure that will make its mark on your heart.

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Jun 02, 2011 Nicole rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

What a fun read while sitting up in Tahoe watching the snow fall over Memorial Day weekend! Crazy! I love this Montgomery series. This the is the second book, about the second brother and I enjoyed it as much as the first one. Now...on to the third brother. Fun reads.

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Jun 30, 2011 Hanife rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, alpha-male-character, historical-romance, marriage-mated-bonded, e-books, medieval, reading-english, recommendations, favorite-author, scottish-romance, made-me-laugh

Yes I love this book my reading progress took so long for some reason and I couldn't enjoy much this book. If I remember right heroine make angry this time. Nearly whole books she is like child. All she says mine, mine, mine! Stephen is bear her word whole time :D Yes he had nerve but not like other brother of his :)

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Mar 28, 2013 Ida rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The character of Bronwyn is not easy to like, what with her self-righteous views. The Montgomery brothers are especially portrayed here as extremely noble and principled. I also don't like that the situation between the Chatworths and the Montgomerys was not resolved.

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Aug 23, 2012 Niki rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, romantic-fiction

I love Jude Deveraux's because they are fast, fun and easy to read romances. I like Highland Velvet with the story of the forbidden love between English and Scottish families in ancient times.

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Feb 20, 2009 Sasha-marie added it · review of another edition

I absolutely LOOOOOOOOOOved this book to the point where I started to write a screeplay. It would be an amazing movie!!! I adore Jude Deveraux and hope she writes until her dying day....:)

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Mar 27, 2010 Cary rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

For some reason I am drawn to these 4 brothers and the women they marry. Sexy but not too explicit. In fact the library doesn't have Book 3 or 4 so I had to order them used from Amazon!

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Jul 31, 2009 Kristin Ridolfo Hoog rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I did not enjoy this book as much as The Velvet Promise. I felt the stubbornness of the main characters draining. i was frustrated with the petty and childish behavior of the characters.

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Mar 13, 2009 Gardavson rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance

Great book. All in all a good series. Bronwyn is a tad stronger than I generally like my heroines but I liked her and she was a good match for Stephen. Stephen makes a great hero.

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About Jude Deveraux

Jude Gilliam was born September 20, 1947 in Fairdale, Kentucky. She has a large extended family, and is the elder sister of four brothers. She attended Murray State University and received a degree in Art. In 1967, Jude married and took her husband's surname of White, but four years later they divorced. For years, she worked as 5th-grade teacher.

She began writing in 1976 and her first book, The En...more Jude Gilliam was born September 20, 1947 in Fairdale, Kentucky. She has a large extended family, and is the elder sister of four brothers. She attended Murray State University and received a degree in Art. In 1967, Jude married and took her husband's surname of White, but four years later they divorced. For years, she worked as 5th-grade teacher.

She began writing in 1976 and her first book, The Enchanted land was published in 1977 as Jude Deveraux. Following the publication of her first novel, she resigned her teaching position. Now, she is the author of thirty-one New York Times bestsellers. Jude won readers' hearts with the epic Velvet series, which revolves around the lives of the Montgomery family's irresistible men. Jude's early books are set largely in 15th- and 16th-century England, in which her fierce, impassioned protagonists find themselves in the midst of blood feuds and wars. Her heroines are equally scrappy -- medieval Scarlett O'Haras who often have a low regard for the men who eventually win them over. They're fighters, certainly, but they're also beauties who are preoccupied with survival and family preservation. Jude has also stepped outside her milieu, with mixed results. Her James River trilogy (River Lady, Lost Lady, and Counterfeit Lady) is set mostly in post-Revolution America; the popular, softer-edged Twin of Fire/Twin of Ice moves to 19th-century Colorado and introduces another hunky-man clan, the Taggerts. Deveraux manages to evoke a strong and convincing atmosphere for each of her books, but her dialogue and characters are as familiar as a modern-day soap opera's. "Historicals seem to be all I'm capable of," Jude once said in an interview, referring to a now out-of-print attempt at contemporary fiction, 1982's Casa Grande. "I don't want to write family sagas or occult books, and I have no intention of again trying to ruin the contemporary market." Still, Jude did later attempt modern-day romances, such as the lighthearted High Tide (her first murder caper), the contemporary female friendship story The Summerhouse, and the time-traveling Knight in Shining Armor. In fact, with 2002's The Mulberry Tree, Deveraux seems to be getting more comfortable setting stories in the present, which is a good thing, since the fans she won with her historical books are eager to follow her into the future.

Jude married Claude Montassir, with whom she had a son, Sam Alexander Montassir in 1997. They were eventually divorced. On Oct. 6th, 2005, Sam died at the age of eight in a motorcycle accident. Jude has lived in several countries and all over the United States. She currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina and also has a home in the medieval city of Badolato, Italy. (less)

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Highland Velvet (Montgomery #4)

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