Shadow Music

I adore Julie Garwood's historical books. I have them all on my keeper shelf. I have read her contemporary romantic suspense books, I enjoy them but not as much as her historicals. I've been waiting a while to read Shadow Music.

Here's the blurb:

For Princess Gabrielle of St. Biel, Scotland is a land of stunning vistas, wild chieftains, treacherous glens, and steep shadows–skullduggery, betrayal, and now murder. Prized for her exquisite beauty, the daughter of one of England’s most influential barons, Gabrielle is also a perfect bargaining chip for a king who needs peace in the Highlands: King John has arranged Gabrielle’s marriage to a good and gentle laird. But this marriage will never take place.

For Gabrielle, everything changes in one last burst of freedom–when she and her guards come upon a scene of unimaginable cruelty. With one shot from her bow and arrow, Gabrielle takes a life, saves a life, and begins a war.

Within days, the Highlands are aflame with passions as a battle royal flares between enemies old and new. Having come to Scotland to be married, Gabrielle is instead entangled in Highland intrigue. For two sadistic noblemen, underestimating Gabrielle’s bravery and prowess may prove fatal. But thanks to a secret Gabrielle possesses, Colm MacHugh, the most feared man in Scotland, finds a new cause for courage. Under his penetrating gaze, neither Gabrielle’s body nor heart is safe.

I enjoyed it, but... (I'm starting to sound like a broken record)

Let me start at the beginning. It was hard to get into the story, although I enjoyed the background information of the story. The legend of the St. Biel treasure was interesting, but it felt short in the execution. I didn't care all that much for the main characters, I found Gaby strong, confident and courageous but only in selective moments, I found her spoiled. Colm has the MIK look going for him, but he got on my nerves. I found that their relationship was very rushed, and it missed the usual conflict of minds that I loved in Julie Garwood's previous books. And then the ending felt rushed, it felt like the author just finally thought it was time to end. I have question about that. You just end it like that?

Shadow Music by Julie Garwood (3/5) Historical Romance; Published: Ballantine Books (12/2007); 2009 100 + Reading Challenge (85);