A Scandalous Scot [Mass Market Paperback]

Karen Ranney (Author)

Book Description

Release date: June 26, 2012

“Karen Ranney writes with power, passion, and dramatic flair.”
—Stephanie Laurens

“Ranney is a rich, rare find!”
—Judith Ivory

A Scandalous Scot is a scandalously entertaining tale of love and passion in the Scottish highlands from the queen of the Scottish historical romance novel, Karen Ranney. New York Times bestseller Ranney tells the tantalizing story of a handsome, haunted Scotsman returning in disgrace to his castle in Scotland after scandal ruined his reputation…only to court further damage to his name by falling in love with his maid, a feisty and outspoken beauty who hides some very shocking secrets of her own. Fans of Karen Hawkins and other bestselling historical romance writers who make the breathtaking highlands their preferred milieu will be swept away by this Scandalous Scot and his romantic trials, tribulations, and triumphs.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

One scandal was never enough . . .

After four long years, Morgan MacCraig has finally returned to the Highlands of his birth . . . with his honor in shreds. After a scandal, all he wants now is solace-yet peace is impossible to find with the castle's outspoken new maid trying his patience, challenging his manhood . . . and winning his love, body and soul.

Jean MacDonald wants to leave her past behind and start anew, but Ballindair Castle, a Scottish estate rumored to be haunted, hasn't been the safe haven she envisioned. Ballindair's ancestral ghosts aren't as fascinating as Morgan, the most magnificent man she's ever seen. Though their passion triggers a fresh scandal that could force them to wed, Jean must first share the secrets of her own past-secrets that could force them apart, or be the beginning of a love and redemption unlike anything they've ever known.

About the Author

Karen Ranney wanted to be a writer from the time she was five years old and filled her Big Chief tablet with stories. People in stories did amazing things and she was too shy to do anything amazing. Years spent in Japan, Paris, and Italy, however, not only fueled her imagination but proved that she wasn't that shy after all. Yet she prefers to keep her current adventures between the covers of her books. Karen lives in San Antonio, Texas

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon (June 26, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062027794
• ISBN-13: 978-0062027795
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1 x 6.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #724,838 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

New York Times bestselling author Karen Ranney was first published in 1995. Since then, she's gone on to write dozens of historical romances, most of them set in Scotland.

Her books have been described as evocative, intensely romantic stories featuring characters who leap off the page.

In addition to historical romance, she also writes mystery and suspense under the pseudonym of Katherine Storm.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Read! June 26, 2012

By Leah Weller

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Morgan, a man betrayed and Jean, a woman with a secret. What laughter these two brought me! Morgan comes home to his ancestral seat to escape scandal, only to be bowled over, literally, by Jean. She continues to run into him on her late night ghost walks and slowly they come to know each other a little better. When they get caught in a compromising position, she is ready to leave and he has other things in mind. A marriage to this woman who intrigues him so thoroughly. What I like about Morgan is his humor and willingness to learn and bend to change. What I like about Jean are her tendencies to step outside the boundaries. She's got spunk, this one! This is a story of living through betrayals and learning to trust, secrets and self awareness that leads to a realization and acceptance of one's true self which opens the way to dealing with deep hidden fears and learning to accept love. A beautiful story of discovery and hope.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice story...good afternoon read May 17, 2012

By R. Phillips

Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

This book was a good story and had a likable hero and heroine. This isn't a knock your socks off romance but the story itself is the strength of this novel. I felt as though the hero and heroine bickered a little too much in the first half and the development of their romance was weak in this part as well. This led to my not feeling the chemistry between the two as much as I wanted. The middle lagged a bit as well. However, the story picked up in the latter half and came together nicely in the end. It's a good read but could have been a little better with more development of the relationship between the hero and heroine to start, and with the omission of some seemingly unimportant, lingering facts and conversations. I'm not sure I bought the authenticity of the argument for their marriage (because did anyone care about the reputation of a maid at that time, and especially stemming from a misunderstanding). I found myself wondering if all the facts truly fit with one another. However, I did like the story and think it is an enjoyable read.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars With disadvantages enough to bring him to humility, a Scotsman is one of the proudest things alive.-Oliver Goldsmith June 10, 2012

By Cherise Everhard TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

Jean MacDonald and her sister, Catriona, were brought by their aunt to Ballindair Castle from their home in Inverness to be maids in the Castle. Jean wasn't raised to be a maid, but is determined to embrace her new station and be the best maid she can be. Catriona, the pretty sister, feels she should skate by on her looks alone, unfortunately for everyone else, she usually does.

Morgan MacCraig hasn't seen his ancestral home in 5 years. He has been in London, with his wife, doing all the things an Earl should do. But when scandal and censure become too much to take he returns to his castle and his Laird duties. The first thing he stumbles upon and into is the plain Jean. She has been in his rooms waiting to see the Castle's ghosts.

Usually in romances one character has a secret past they keep hidden. In this case both Jean and Morgan have pasts marred by scandal that neither wants to face. Jean is plain in looks but complex in mind. She's inquisitive and smart, hard working and caring. It isn't long before Morgan starts seeking her refreshing company. Then the two share in a scandal...

I have never read a book by this author so I didn't know what to expect. I really liked the storyline and the characters she created. I really had to fight myself not to skim through to figure out what scandal Jean was hiding. It was driving me nuts. I loved her and Morgan together, I loved how honest and straightforward Jean was and how she caught Morgan off guard so often.

The author created two of the most annoying and murder inducing characters on the planet with Andrew and Catriona. It's been a while since characters have roused so much hate from me. I was immensely disappointed that neither of them died a painful death.

This was a charming historical romance. It had enough originality to make me want to seek out more of this author's work.

Cherise Everhard, June 2012