Karen Ranney

Good second chance romance. Jennifer and Gordon grew up together on her father's estate in Scotland. First, they were friends, and their feelings changed to love as they grew older. Jennifer didn't care that Gordon was the gardener's son. The forces of disapproval were strong, with Jennifer's mother Gordon's only advocate. When she died, she left Gordon a sum of money. With his only (adult) supporter gone, others on the estate forced him to leave, filling his head with lies about Jennifer show more wanting him gone. Broken-hearted, he headed for London. Meanwhile, Jennifer has no idea where or why Gordon has gone. She remains on the estate, running things for her useless, profligate brother, Harrison.

Five years later, Gordon has become a successful businessman. He buries his feelings for Jennifer in his work. When he receives a letter from Jennifer telling him that his father is dying, he reluctantly returns to Scotland. The first meeting between Jennifer and Gordon is awkward, as each believes the other is responsible for their separation. There are some difficult moments until the blow-up exposes the truth of what happened that day. With the air cleared, Jennifer and Gordon again find themselves growing closer. There are some terrific scenes of them together, catching up on what they've done while apart and fighting to keep their attraction under control.

Things aren't easy. Jennifer's brother Harrison is forced back to the estate from his carousing in London to witness the birth of his first child. His hatred of Gordon and disdain for Jennifer are apparent, and he takes every opportunity to make their lives difficult. Instead of driving them apart, the tension pulls Jennifer and Gordon closer until they can no longer deny their love. Meanwhile, Gordon spends time with his dying father, with whom he's never gotten along. Sean was always hypercritical of Gordon, constantly harping on the class difference between him and Jennifer. In an unexpected twist, shortly before his death, Sean drops a bombshell confession on Gordon that sends him into a tailspin. He pushes Jennifer away and flees back to London.

The news is devastating, and Jennifer reels from the implications. Heartbroken, Jennifer can't stand to stay on the estate where memories of Gordon are around every corner. She goes to Edinburgh to stay with her godmother, Ellen, who was instrumental in forcing Harrison back to the estate. I ached for Jennifer and her misery over the loss of Gordon. I loved Ellen's determination to get to the truth of Jennifer's unhappiness. Once she did, another twist turned Jennifer's problem on its head. There were some interesting developments as Gordon and Jennifer dealt with all of the ramifications. I liked the ending and how it worked out for them.

While I thoroughly enjoyed the book, a few things bugged me. I thought that Gordon and Jennifer were far too accepting of their separation. As deep as their love was, I didn't understand why Gordon believed the people who told him the lies about Jennifer. Even after making his fortune, he never bothered to contact her. That lack of trust didn't say much for his belief in their love. Jennifer doesn't get off scot-free either. Once she had his address, she could have gone to London to find him and demand answers. I also thought Harrison needed more consequences than he seemed to get. show less

When it comes to this author I think, at least for me, it is more hit than miss. However, this story was so well written that I don't just think that this is one of the best book Karen Ranney has ever written. I know so. It is THE best medieval romance I've ever read.

With the power of her immaculate prose, she drew me into this brutal and unforgiving medieval period, so deep that I could feel the pain, sorrow and in the end love.

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"It was the first time he'd said her name. It had never show more seemed so lovely before, a word comprised of rolling syllables. It flowed from his mouth like a brook might tumble over round and polished stones."

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"He bowed his head again, forced into humility not by faith or devotion but by a despair as wordless and deep as a night sky. For what should he pray? Absolution for the sin of killing, even in the name of faith? For the sins of the flesh? Or for once enjoying them so heartily? Perhaps he should pray only for death, oblivion rendered fast and just. A swift end, like those he'd meted out in battle. This was nothing less than war, wasn't it? One fought in solitary, with Death on one side and him on the other, the adversaries so unevenly matched that the outcome was certain."

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Sebastian and Juliana are one of those lovers that you'll never forget, like Tristan and Isolde, maybe even better because their story is told with such care to detail that I had tears in my eyes as I read it. If you've ever read a romance just for the tortured hero and heroine, then this is a story for you.

Everything about this story touched my heart and I highly recommend it.

Melanie for b2b show less

Ranney has woven an emotional tapestry that wraps tightly around you with each gripping page. I surrendered immediately to this captivating book!

Virginia has to bat down the urge towards docility and fight for what’s hers. With several people depending on her, she can’t let her emotions take over her life. Macrath Sinclair was in love with her once, but after the pain she has caused him, she can’t see him ever forgiving her. Asking for his trust is beyond absurd and she doesn’t have show more the fortitude to tell him the complete truth. With a sinister man holding a secret over her head and another one holding her heart, she must find a way to save those closest to her without losing herself.
Macrath Sinclair knows what he wants and he intends to get it. A man with his intellect should not be pining over a woman this way. His pride becomes liquid when she’s around and he speaks from the heart without control. If only he could make her see the courage she possesses, she would never have to give in again to anyone but him.

This novel was written expertly and is a prize to behold. The setting was dictated beautifully, and the story line was brilliant. Movement between viewpoints is handled so skillfully, it doesn’t confuse the reader and allows the story to flow smoothly. The character background is informative and interesting. The love between Macrath and Virginia is full of passion and the banter was amusing. My heart fluttered with excitement as each steamy romantic scene played out. The skill in which the author portrays this world of mystery, love, hate, and devotion is one that I truly admire. I simply love it when a writer takes the time after the story to explain fact vs. fiction. I can’t wait to read her next novel!

I received this in exchange for an unscripted and honest review. (Above the Treeline a/k/a Edelweiss) show less

Loved this book. Mairi is an independent woman who knows what she wants. Several years earlier she took over running the family newspaper, after her father's death. Her brother had no interest in it, but it has become Mairi's life. The biggest drawback for her is that she can't publish her articles under her own name, but uses her brother's instead. At the beginning of the book, she meets Logan as she attempts to enter an all-male gathering in pursuit of a story. She is furious when he show more doesn't support her right to be there, and the next day publishes an unflattering poem about him.

Logan's career as a politician is going well and he is considering the next step of running for Parliament. He figures that he will need a suitable wife to assist him, and has been considering the possibilities. Meeting Mairi puts a kink in those plans, as suddenly he can't think of anyone else. Her passionate view on issues has him looking at many things differently, and he is intrigued by her.

I loved the sparks that flew between Mairi and Logan from the moment they met. The attraction between them is hot, but there's more than just the physical. Mairi challenges Logan to look beyond the current attitude toward women and see them as intelligent, capable beings and then to do something about it. Meanwhile, Logan has Mairi seeing the world outside her newspaper, and that people are more than just sources or subjects of stories.

Mairi had a romance that ended badly in her past, which has affected her attitude toward marriage and love. She sees them as a prison that forces women to lose their independence and become accessories to their husband's lives. Her time with Logan has her resisting the feelings that she is developing for him, fearing that if she gives in she will lose all that she has worked to achieve.

I loved Logan's delight in Mairi's passion and intelligence. It was fun to see the way that the things she is so passionate about make him think about what she is fighting for. He gets a point of view he'd never had before and changes the way he looks at some things. I also enjoyed the way he knew just how to push her buttons. The scene where she questions what's under his kilt was lots of fun and had me laughing out loud. I also loved the way that he understood her and supported her. He was not going to allow her to push him away. I loved his big moment at the end and how it showed just how much he loved her.

Throughout the story there is also someone who is trying to sabotage Mairi's plans. There are hints and revelations that move closer to exposure, with a couple interesting twists to the final resolution.

I enjoyed the secondary characters and their parts in the story. All of them were integral to the plot, not just there to take up space. I enjoyed the romance between Allan and Fenella, but also liked how well both of them knew Mairi. I especially liked Fenella's explanation of love to her. I also liked seeing Macrath and Virginia again. I loved his support of Mairi and what she wants to do. He's a bit on the protective side, and I enjoyed seeing Mairi call him on it. I liked how he admits the changes that love has made to his life. show less