The #1 New York Times bestselling author adored by a worldwide audience, Julie Garwood weaves an intricate tapestry of intrigue and emotion in this daring new novel. Stepping back to the silver-shrouded Highlands of her classic tale The Secret, Garwood hails the return of two unforgettable heroes — Ramsey Sinclair and Brodick Buchanan — and follows a twisting labyrinth of deadly secrets and medieval splendor.

In the dark days after the death of Richard the Lionhearted, lives and lands would fall into upheaval at the hands of a power-hungry British ruler and his violent minions. One victim of the scourge is innocent Gillian, who is a mere child when the cruel and ambitious Baron Alford slaughters her father and tears her family apart. Alford, determined to recover a jeweled box for the despotic King John, is furious when the precious treasure slips through his fingers — only to be lost for more than a decade.

Now a beautiful young woman who has forged a life for herself, Gillian finds the key to resolving her past in handsome Scottish chieftains Ramsey Sinclair and Brodick Buchanan. With the cunning and courage of the daring Scotsmen to aid her, and finding a bond of trust and friendship with a new ally, Bridgid KirkConnell, Gillian at last fights the unscrupulous Baron Alford, laying claim to her home, her family, and her father's reputation. But in the presence of the mighty warriors beside them, Gillian and Bridgid will discover that desire can be a weapon of conquest...betrayal can slay trust in a heartbeat...and the greatest risk of all is surrender — to the deep emotions of unexpected love.

Resounding with the steely clash of sword-against-sword, and the pounding of hearts bound by cliff-hanging peril, Ransom sweeps from Scotland to England with all of the majesty of medieval glory days. With her special storytelling gifts in full force, Julie Garwood spins an unforgettable page-turner of passion and loyalty, justice, and honor.

Julie Garwood has enchanted readers since her first novel was published in 1985; today there are more than fifteen million copies of her books in print. In addition to Come the Spring and her #1 New York Times bestselling Clayborne Brides trilogy (One Pink Rose, One White Rose and One Red Rose), her previous novels include eleven other New York Times bestsellers: The Bride, Guardian Angel, Honor's Splendour, The Gift, The Prize, The Secret, Castles, Saving Grace, Prince Charming, For the Roses (which was adapted as a Hallmark Hall of Fame television special, "Rose Hill"), and The Wedding. Ms. Garwood is currently working on her next novel, to be published by Pocket Books.