• The Secret

  • Highlands' Lairds, Book 1
  • By: Julie Garwood
  • Narrated by: Susan Duerden
  • Length: 12 hrs and 46 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (5,778 ratings)

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The Secret  By  cover art

The Secret

By: Julie Garwood
Narrated by: Susan Duerden
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Publisher's summary

New York Times best-selling author Julie Garwood captures the Highland splendor of medieval Scotland in this breathtaking love story. The inspiration for her acclaimed bestseller Ransom, this classic tale is a passionate masterpiece from one of the best-loved storytellers of all time.

Judith Hampton was as beautiful as she was proud and loyal. Her dear Scottish friend from childhood was about to give birth, and Judith had promised to be at her side. But there was another reason for the journey from her bleak English home to the Highlands: to meet the father she had never known, the Laird Maclean. Nothing prepared her, however, for the sight of the Scottish barbarian who was to escort her into his land...Iain Maitland, laird of his clan, a man more powerfully compelling than any she had ever encountered.

In a spirited clash of wills and customs, Judith reveled in the melting bliss of Iain's searching kisses, his passionate caresses. Perplexed by her sprightly defiance, bemused by her tender nature, Iain felt his soul growing into the light and warmth of her love. Surely nothing would wrench her from the affection and trust of Iain and his clan...not even the truth about her father, a devastating secret that could shatter the boldest alliance, and the most glorious of loves!

©2013 Julie Garwood (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

What listeners say about The Secret

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    3,721
  • 4 Stars
    1,266
  • 3 Stars
    517
  • 2 Stars
    162
  • 1 Stars
    112
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    3,176
  • 4 Stars
    1,054
  • 3 Stars
    536
  • 2 Stars
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Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    3,510
  • 4 Stars
    1,092
  • 3 Stars
    422
  • 2 Stars
    119
  • 1 Stars
    87

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

MEDIEVAL HIGHLAND ROMANCE AT IT'S BEST

Oh boy, I'm so easily pleased - just give me a hunky handsome Highland Warrior in a kilt (a must), add some interesting amusing and likeable characters (also necessary) who are all involved in a charming passionate and funny story (preferable), throw in lots of romance and a little sex (an added bonus) then have it written by the gifted and talented Ms Garwood (wow) finally have it brought to life by the many voices of Susan Duerden and then folks...... I'm one happy lass.

Audible - I'm afraid you will be getting an email from me soon begging you (on bended knees if necessary) to carry on with this series and add books 2 Ransom and 3 Shadow Music to your Library very very soon so I can add them to mine.

Worth a credit? Well folks if you're like me and enjoy being mentally transported back in time then that would be a definitely, positively and absolutely YES.

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73 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Nice Historical Highland Romance

I found this book to be well written that kept my interest. I enjoyed the friendships, struggles, and romance throughout the book. I don't understand why many people disliked the narrator but I thought she was good.....not great but good. She whispered when the words said "she whispered" so what was the problem. Anyway I will definately listen to the next book in the series.

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41 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely A Refreshing Change!

It is so refreshing to find a historical romance that is not just a bunch of sex scenes strung together around a weak story. It is also rare to find one.

The Secret fits that rare mold.

This story honestly looks at real life on 13th century Scotland, in a funny interesting story that entertains to the last page.

Ian and Judith and all the rest make just the right kind of clan.

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38 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

horrible narration

What would have made The Secret better?

A different narrator.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Secret?

Love the book and was looking forward to the audio but the narration was so horrible.

What didn’t you like about Susan Duerden’s performance?

She does horrible men's voices. She makes the main character sound like a child. She whispers too much as well.

What character would you cut from The Secret?

Love all of the characters!

Any additional comments?

Please tell me that the rest of the books in this series will have a different narrator!!!!!

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34 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

book spoiled by narrator

Would you be willing to try another one of Susan Duerden’s performances?

No

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment. This is my favorite Garwood book. I was really happy to see it available in audio, but Duerden's gravelly voiced, whispery narration totally spoiled it.

Any additional comments?

I wish I could write to someone in charge of selecting narrators and tell them to stop using Susan Duerden. Her narration of men's voices gets worse with each recording and really spoils a good audio book.

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29 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

So fustrating!It

Any additional comments?

It really makes me mad when they ruin a good book with such an annoying narrator I wish there was some one we can write and ask to never again let this narrator narrate. The story was sweet and funny totally ruined by the narrator.

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29 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Good grief! Really...

I will never believe the reviews again! Evidentially people who favor a book are more apt to write a review than those that don't. If you like a Harlequin romance this is for you. The characters are two dimensional simpletons. The narrator has a good reading voice but her female characters voices all sound like little girls and the men's sound like gruff old men except the hero who sounds like a breathy lecher. Sorry I wasted the 2 credits. Believing the reviews I read I purchased the 2nd book at the same time as The Secret. What a waist of time and credits! If you like a book with substance don't bother with this one.

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25 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Dp
  • 01-28-13

Narrator Scott's accent was awful!!!!!!!!

Would you try another book from Julie Garwood and/or Susan Duerden?

I like Julie so yes. Susan no!!!!!!

Has The Secret turned you off from other books in this genre?

No

What didn’t you like about Susan Duerden’s performance?

I've listened to a number of other books she's narrated and they all sound the same . I will never buy another book she narrates.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

The story was very interesting.

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22 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Why does the narrator whisper?

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The narrator! She talks so softly that you feel like she is whispering so no one will hear her. And the voices. Judith sounds like a little girl not a full grown women. It is disturbing to say the least.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Secret?

Being that The Secret has always been one of my favorite books it is hard to pick one memorable moments.

Would you be willing to try another one of Susan Duerden’s performances?

I would really rather not.

Was The Secret worth the listening time?

Yes, try to get past the narrator because the story is well worth the listen.

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21 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Good story, bad narrator

Though I was liking the story and characters, the overall listening experience wasn't an easy one. The narrator draws out the end of every sentence in such a way that once noticed, you can't stop hearing it. Drove me to distraction so I had to stop listening frequently. It turned into an exercise of endurance than anything else. It's a shame because the story good.

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19 people found this helpful