Early Review of The Scottish Duke (Duke Trilogy #1) by Karen Ranney

Title: The Scottish Duke
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Historical Romance
Format: Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Avon (November 29, 2016)
ISBN-10: 0062466879
ISBN-13: 978-0062466877
Author's Website: http://karenranney.com/
Notes: I received an eARC loan from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am also an Avon Addict which means I love the books that Avon publishes enough to volunteer to read as many ARCs and books as they can send my way. So you'll be seeing a lot of books reviewed by me from this publisher. Please note, however, that if I don't like a book, it will be truthfully reflected by a low rating.

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Lorna Gordon just wanted to have a little fun. To go to the ball like Cinderella. She already had her Prince Charming picked out, and when she found a beautiful old dress and wig in a trunk in her employer's attic she took it as a sign. So with costume on, she slipped in unnoticed with all the other guests. The problem was she didn't really go unnoticed. The gentleman of the ton noticed her quite well, or rather her nicely displayed decolletage, but, thankfully, no one realized she was just a lowly house maid. Two years before when her father was still alive, she might have ended up at such a party as this, but those days were gone.

What Lorna was doing was improper. What Lorna was doing was forbidden. What Lorna was doing could get her fired, but the head strong chit did it anyway. She'd had a tendre for the handsome young nobleman for some time. So when the ninth Duke of Kinross joined her on the terrace and later led her away by the hand she went with willingly....

Much to her regret she soon learned real life is not a fairy tale. Confound it.

This was a fun read where the main male character started off being more of a cad than a hero. It took quite some time for him to redeem himself in my eyes, but he was a man who had some major issues. Dukes are notoriously sought after by conniving young misses and their families trying to better their positions. He's already been a victim of one such liaison and refuses to be one of another. The experience left him bitter, so much so that his mother fears he'll never remarry. Described as being devastatingly handsome, aloof, and unapproachable he was somewhat of a mystery to the household staff. 

Lorna is an independent, bold, proud, strong, and intelligent young woman who finds herself in a precariously dangerous position, After her night with the Duke, she finds herself with child. Instead of approaching the Duke for help, she leaves and tries to make her own way in the world. Unfortunately or perhaps fortunately, depending on your perspective, a close friend of Lorna's reveals all to the Duke's mother who then confronts her son. What ensues makes for an extremely delightful read. There is a depth to this story that I truly loved. 

Overall, I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses. There is mystery and suspense associated with an attempt on Lorna's life. There is plenty of drama associated with the predicament Lorna and the Duke find themselves in. Although this one didn't follow the traditional order of love, marriage, and a baby in a baby carriage, it did have a happy ending. As we begin to find out more about the main characters and their stories, I realized these two were just what the other needed. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a  STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed. I definitely enjoyed this one, and loved the Duke's mother.

Review and Excerpt of The Devil of Clan Sinclair (Clan Sinclair, #1) by Karen Ranney

Title: The Devil of Clan Sinclair
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Historical romance
Series: Clan Sinclair
Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Avon (July 30, 2013)
ISBN-10: 006224244X
ISBN-13: 978-0062242440
Author's Website: http://karenranney.com/
Notes: Received and eARC loan from the publisher. Quotes will need to be checked against the final copy.

Virginia Anderson Traylor once had dreams of making a love match. She even found the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. But her father had other plans. He set about arranging a marriage between her and an Earl. The Earl, however, was not healthy and had been a semi-invalid who was house bound. The marriage was not a happy one, and the two had only consummated the marriage once. As that union had failed to produce any heirs, Virginia and her in-laws now find themselves on the verge of being penniless and kicked out of their entailed home. While her father thought he was doing right by his daughter by securing her place in London society, he had failed to foresee his own death a mere two months after the marriage. He had also failed to foresee the death of his son-in-law who had despised his wife so much he made sure the entire fortune she'd inherited from her father would be so entwined within the Earl's estate so she'd never see a single farthing of it upon his death.

"Have you decided?"

"What you propose is so..." The words trailed away.

"Practical? Logical?" Enid asked.(...)"Do not think Jeremy will support us, my dear. He will banish us from this house with a quickness that will surprise you. What he doesn't do, his harridan of a wife will. They'll care nothing for what happens to us."(...)

What Enid was proposing was shocking. Somehow, she needed to get with child and quickly enough that he would be viewed as Lawrence's heir.

"It's a solution to our dilemma," Enid said, "Have you given any thought to it?"

And so Virginia, with the weight of the fate of her in-laws, and her own on her shoulders, found herself on the path to find the one man she'd fallen for less than a year ago. To seek him out, seduce him and get herself with child. A child he must never know about. For goodness knows what he would do if he ever found out.

This was a rather unconventional romance to say the least and I rather enjoyed it. Virginia has always had a meek personality, being easily intimidated. She's always done as she was supposed to, and it has gotten her absolutely nowhere. Doing as her mother-in-law Enid suggests goes against her grain, but it does hold some appeal for her. To see the man she fell for again. The man that she never truly stopped thinking of is tempting. A bold temptress she is not, but feeling a little trapped by the circumstances she finds herself in, she decides to indulge in her own wishes and be a little selfish.

While Macrath Sinclair's family earned a living in the newspaper business, he'd made his fortune as an inventor. He's a proud man, and family means the world to him. When Virginia shows up on his doorstep he has hopes they can pick up where they left off. Once again, he wears his heart on his sleeve, but Virginia makes it quite clear that while a tryst is acceptable, anything more is not.

As you can imagine, when Macrath finds out what Virginia did he is furious and that's when things get interesting. Motherhood gives Virginia the backbone she's never before had. Her claws come out, and she comes into her own and will not be intimidated. I loved seeing this side of her. I also enjoyed how Macrath dealt with her even when he was attempting to be mean. The two truly were a perfect match.

Why is the book called, The Devil of Clan Sinclair? Well, it has to do with the villagers' nickname for the mysterious man (Macrath) with the devilishly dark good looks and wicked grin--the Devil of Drumvagen. A nickname he truly did nothing to earn.

Overall, I gave this one 3 1/2 out of 5 Roses. I loved Macrath and how he managed to keep a cool head where Virginia was concerned. Virginia really never stood a chance against Macrath and it was enjoyable seeing Macrath finally break down her resolve. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one gets
a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.

Excerpt from The Devil of Clan Sinclair by Karen Ranney:

When Deception Meets Desire

“Why have you come, Virginia?” he asked.

“I want to know what love is like between a man and a woman. Not simply what it felt like to be a frightened miss alone with an angry husband.”

“Was he angry?” he asked.

“It seemed so.” When he didn’t speak, she said, “He took my virtue, Macrath, not my heart. Never my heart.”

He pulled her close slowly, so slowly she might have turned her head or escaped from him easily. She didn’t, only tilted back her head, praying for a kiss.

Softly, he placed his lips on hers. A kiss to reacquaint, an expression of remembrance, and a silent hello, one that didn’t prepare her for the surge of feeling.

The kiss deepened, becoming something she’d never felt, as if their combined need created a maelstrom between them. She was left gasping for breath, but when he would’ve pulled away, she gripped his shirt with both hands and pulled him back to her.

“Teach me,” she whispered. Before the words had totally left her lips, she was airborne, caught up in his arms.

She hadn’t expected this. She’d thought they might escape to his room or her lovely chamber, tiptoeing through this magnificent home like thieves. She’d never thought he would brazenly carry her through the corridors like a drunken bridegroom.

She closed her eyes, hoping none of his servants saw them. Hoping, too, if they did, she didn’t see them.

Her hands still clutched his shirt and she couldn’t release them. Where their bodies touched there was such heat she was warned. This night would not be like her wedding night.

When dawn broke, she wouldn’t be the same woman.

(Excerpt used with permission of Harper Collins/Avon Romance)

Early Review of The Lass Wore Black by Karen Ranney

• Title: The Lass Wore Black
• Classification: Adult Fiction
• Genre: Historical Romance
• Format: Paperback; 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon (January 29, 2013)
• ISBN-10: 0062027808
• ISBN-13: 978-0062027801
• Author's Website: http://karenranney.com/

Catriona was one of the most beautiful woman in all of London. She was being courted by a Duke, and everything she ever wanted seemed to be possible and within her grasp. Then, in an instant, tragedy struck and everything changed. While on her way home, something broke through the windows of her carriage shattering not only the glass but Catriona's face as the shards did their damage. As the carriage overturned, her leg and arm were crushed and broken within the wreckage. In a matter of moments, the beauty she had always relied upon to carry her through was taken from her, leaving her with scars that even her sister flinched at. Told she was lucky for surviving, she wasn't sure she totally agreed with that. Perhaps this was God's way of punishing her for her selfishness and past sins. She definitely hadn't been a saint. Unsure how to cope, she retreated from the world wearing only black as it mirrored her mood. Without her looks Catriona was just a shell of her former self. Her sister had always been the smart one and she'd always been the pretty one. Now she didn't know who or what she was, perhaps the monster the mirror suggested? Abandoning hope, she lost her appetite, refused to eat, and contemplated taking her life. That was when her aunt Dina stepped in and asked a friend for guidance and help.

Doctor Mark Thorburn had known Catriona before the accident although she most certainly never noticed him. He'd done an apprenticeship with her father years ago. He had been one of his favorite mentors and perhaps out of his fondness for him, or his curiosity of the young beautiful woman who had been his daughter, he decided to go above and beyond the call of duty. Realizing she refused to see any more doctors, he opted to pose as a footman who was assigned to stay with her until she ate her meals. What he never could have of imagined when he started his deceitful little plan, was that they would be just what the other needed.

This is the sequel to A Scandalous Scot. Catriona was the scandalous sister to Jean MacDonald. Not happy with being reduced to a maid after they're father was hanged for performing a mercy killing on his terminally ill wife, Catriona had an affair with a married man hoping he'd whisk her away. Her soon to be brother-in-law disapproved of the liaison and gave her a choice between being respectable or being someone's mistress. If she chose the former, he'd sponsor her debut into society where she'd have a chance at having a real relationship. Faced with the choices she chose wisely and decided to reform her scandalous ways. With the help of her aunt Dina, she learned how to interact and mingle with members of the ton. Everything she ever wanted seemed within reach when the 'accident' occurred.

Some people think bad things don't happen to good people. If something bad happens, they believe you must have done something to deserve it. But that's not the way the world works. Life has a way of just happening--whether it is good or bad. It's how you react to the bad, however, that truly defines you.

When Mark first started masquerading as a footman he found a woman not only scarred on the outside, but on the inside as well. She had no idea how to reinvent herself. No clue who she really was when separated from her looks. She'd had hopes and aspirations of becoming a wife and mother. Now she doubted if she'd ever attract a male's attention ever again. She kept her face hidden fearing she'd scare children and attract stares. Ironically, now she wouldn't attract them for her beauty, but for her disfigurement.

Mark is a well respected doctor who is a member of the peerage, but if he had to pick between being a peer and a physician, medicine would win out. He loves his work and trying to come up with new ways of helping his patients. He administers to both the less fortunate and the wealthy. While a lot of people like him, he doesn't have much of a social life. He has a tendency to throw himself into his work. As he gets to know Catriona, and sees how she slowly starts to put the pieces of her shattered life back together again, he sees the real Catriona who was buried beneath the spoiled facade she had worn.

Some of my favorite lines/quotes:

- "The world is prejudiced against a great many things," he said. "the trick is to ignore what you can and endure the rest."
  "So says and extraordinarily handsome man."

- "Of all the people in the world I might pity, I think I'd label you last. You're a fighter, Catriona, and one of the most stubborn, obstinate, and hard-headed people I've ever had the privilege to meet. You stand your ground regardless of where you are or what circumstance you're facing."

- "I see your beauty, " he said again. "Perhaps one day you will, too."

-  'Passion could bind two people more ably than chains.'

Overall, I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses. Plenty of action, suspense and romance in this one. I liked the patience Mark displayed with Catriona. I loved how he slowly brought her back among the living and gave her hope for the future. I loved how he saw the woman beneath the shattered shell and realized it wasn't just the accident that had affected her but the deaths of her parents, especially her father's that had affected her too. On the Lisa Renee Romance Rating Scale, this one gets a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.

Reading order of the books:

A Scandalous Scot by Karen Ranney

• Title: A Scandalous Scot
• Classification: Adult Fiction
• Genre:  Historical Romance
• Format: Paperback, 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon (June 26, 2012)
• ISBN-10: 0062027794
• ISBN-13: 978-0062027795
• Author's Website:  http://www.karenranney.com/

Morgan MacCraig had come back to Scotland after a bitter divorce that left him a pariah of London society. Divorce was considered scandalous and all but one of his friends had turned their backs on him. Never mind that his wife would sleep with everyone but him. He had had enough of London society and woman. He decided to go back to Ballindair Castle, his boyhood home.

Jean MacDonald and her sister, Catriona, had fallen on hard times and had come to Ballindair Castle to escape poverty and scandal. The scandal associated with the two sisters was so bad they'd been forced to use a false last name. While they were born to a higher status, they now were working as maids on the estate.

When Catriona devises a plan to elevate her position from maid to mistress, Jean attempts to stop her. The only problem is Jean gets caught in a new scandal with Morgan. That compounded with the scandal she's trying to keep secret could be Jean's and Catriona's undoing or salvation.

___________________

I truly enjoyed this one. Ms. Ranney infused her tale with a little whimsy when she added in a few ghosts which reportedly haunt the Scottish castle. I truly thought it gave us a nice insight into Jean's psyche by letting us know that while things might have gotten rough, she hadn't been completely tainted by the events in her life and has become an avid ghost hunter. As the story progresses, we see she's very loyal and feels responsible for her younger sister. While Jean resigns herself to her new life and position in society, Catriona seems to be rebelling against it and has gone a bit wild, which makes things very difficult for Jean. 

Morgan MacCraig, Earl of Denbleigh, has lived in the shadow of his seemingly perfect father. He didn't take lightly the shame he brought to the family name when he divorced and had not done it on a whim. It takes two to make a marriage, and he learned shortly after marrying his wife that she wasn't all that interested in him. It had been his title and fortune she'd been after. Strange how one bad decision can sometimes alter a person's life.

While some stories have a character you love to hate, I thought it unique that Ms. Ranney threw in Catriona and Andrew, each of who I almost instantly disliked and wanted to throttle. They aren't exactly bad guys just a little self absorbed and ignorant as to how their actions affect others or, perhaps more accurately, just don't care how they affect others. They added another dimension to the story as well as some extra drama. Additionally, through their selfish actions they set the romance between Jean and Morgan in motion or, at the very least, sped it up.

One of the fun things about this story is that Jean tries to convince Morgan they shouldn't get married. She tries to debate her way out of it, and with each reason she states as to why they should not get married, she endears herself even more to him. I think it's Jean's reluctance to get married that makes Morgan decide a marriage between them is a good idea. What Morgan doesn't realize is that it is something that lurks in her past that makes her reluctant.

Overall I really enjoyed this one and gave it 3 1/2 roses. It's the type of story that puts a smile on your face and puts you in a good mood. I loved the fact that Jean is not 'perfect' by society's standards, but she's got spunk and is forthright with everyone--two things Morgan truly needs. I liked how Jean had to come clean with Morgan about her past and how he seemed to take it in stride. I admit that I thought the scandal would be more scandalous, but for the day and age this story took place it would have been. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one gets a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.