Customer Reviews

The Devil Wears Tartan

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Despite the clearly Scottish-themed title, this book wasn't particularly Scottish in feel; instead it was an exploration of how a young woman, married to a man she doesn't know, begins to chip away at her husband's reserve and to try to forge a future with him.

The husband in question is the Earl of Lorne, a Scotsman who had a distinguished career in the foreign service until he was imprisoned by the Chinese and tortured. Since his return to England he has shunned society and lives alone in his castle, finding himself succumbing to visions and fearing the onset of madness. Because of his responsibilities to his title he realises he needs to get an heir and so arranges a marriage with a local woman, Davina McLaren, whose reputation was ruined by an indiscretion and who is likely to remain a spinster.

Davina isn't the shy, retiring type of young lady, however. She finds herself wed to the Earl of Lorne, otherwise known as The Devil, and yet she barely sees him. Davina is something of a bluestocking and rather direct in her speech and she tries to learn about her husband and to forge some kind of a friendship. As she uncovers his secrets she may also uncover love, and she may be called upon to fight for the future of her marriage and even the life of her husband.

I very much enjoyed this book with its central romance, initially not particularly encouraging but gradually becoming something of warmth and understanding. There are occasional nods to the Scottish setting and the Victorian era, with reference to the opium trade with China, but overall this is a romance developing from an arranged marriage. There were some rather unfortunate errors in the text, including likening a character to a chipmunk (an animal not seen in the UK) and various characters speaking American words in the Scottish setting, and the habit, oft-found in American-authored novels, of the heroine retaining her maiden name as a middle name after her marriage - something that almost never takes place in the UK. I was also not entirely convinced by some of the behaviour of the characters, certain plot elements seemed rather too unlikely and the siege of the lunatic asylum at the end felt pretty far-fetched. However this was overall a good read and Davina was a rather unusual heroine and one to whom I warmed.

Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008

Ms. Raney has given us a wonderful novel with characters who have so much depth that you can't help but fall in love with them. Marshall Ross the Earl of Ambrose came back from China a changed man who lived through torture and the loss of half of his men, he needs a wife to carry on the name and so he chooses Davina McLaren to play the role, he wants a wife of convenience who will give him an heir and leave him alone but Davina has other plans, she has secrets of her own but wants to chase away the ghosts that haunt Marshall and be a wife in every way. See where the road takes these two unfortunate lovers.

Despite the clearly Scottish-themed title, this book wasn't particularly Scottish in feel; instead it was an exploration of how a young woman, married to a man she doesn't know, begins to chip away at her husband's reserve and to try to forge a future with him.

The husband in question is the Earl of Lorne, a Scotsman who had a distinguished career in the foreign service until he was imprisoned by the Chinese and tortured. Since his return to England he has shunned society and lives alone in his castle, finding himself succumbing to visions and fearing the onset of madness. Because of his responsibilities to his title he realises he needs to get an heir and so arranges a marriage with a local woman, Davina McLaren, whose reputation was ruined by an indiscretion and who is likely to remain a spinster.

Davina isn't the shy, retiring type of young lady, however. She finds herself wed to the Earl of Lorne, otherwise known as The Devil, and yet she barely sees him. Davina is something of a bluestocking and rather direct in her speech and she tries to learn about her husband and to forge some kind of a friendship. As she uncovers his secrets she may also uncover love, and she may be called upon to fight for the future of her marriage and even the life of her husband.

I very much enjoyed this book with its central romance, initially not particularly encouraging but gradually becoming something of warmth and understanding. There are occasional nods to the Scottish setting and the Victorian era, with reference to the opium trade with China, but overall this is a romance developing from an arranged marriage. There were some rather unfortunate errors in the text, including likening a character to a chipmunk (an animal not seen in the UK) and various characters speaking American words in the Scottish setting, and the habit, oft-found in American-authored novels, of the heroine retaining her maiden name as a middle name after her marriage - something that almost never takes place in the UK. I was also not entirely convinced by some of the behaviour of the characters, certain plot elements seemed rather too unlikely and the siege of the lunatic asylum at the end felt pretty far-fetched. However this was overall a good read and Davina was a rather unusual heroine and one to whom I warmed.

Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008

I just loved this book. The characters were complex. Davina was one of the most fascinating and compelling heroines I've read in a long time. She was fearless, funny, candid and just fun. She wasn't cowering or whinny like most heroines would have been in her situation. The ending is surprising. The love scenes were beautiful, especially when Davina and Marshall are in the Egyptian house- I believe. It was just a great read. My only complaint is the model on the cover does not match Marshall's discription. He has brown eyes while the model obviously has blue/ green eyes.

Scandal forced Davina McLaren to marry a stranger. Desperation led Marshall Ross, the Devil of Ambrose, to Davina. Davina is quickly captivated by her new husband. His kisses enthrall her, but his mysterious absences leave her heartbroken and curious. Marshall wants his lovely wife but he fears what he might to do her. Marshall's demons come to him at night so he must keep his distance. Davina knows there is something wrong with her husband. She's convinced he's not crazy, but who is this man that she married? Is he a reclose or a lunatic? Devina's fight to save their marriage and Marshall's sanity seems futile but she isn't giving up. She'll fight for him, even when the fight is against someone they trust.

The Devil Wears Tartan is an intriguing story with dark secrets, deep passions, and intense emotions. Davina is innocent and yet bold. She's intelligent, witty, and always speaks her mind. Marshall is truly a tortured hero. His brooding mysteriousness is compelling. Davina and Marshall are very well suited. They are perfect together. They match each other in intelligence and fit like a glove in bed. In most stories the hero saves the heroine, in The Devil Wears Tartan, the heroine saves the hero. Devina's unrelenting support of and care for Marshall save him, literally and figuratively. The Devil Wears Tartan is an excellent story filled with sensuality and suspense.

Nannette
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

This was an original story about the trials of one Scottish Lord and his brave Scottish wife. Their story unfolds slowly but with passion.

Davina marries Marshall, Earl of Lorne because she has no other prospects since she is considered a ruined woman when she was discovered with a lover. Marshall needs an heir and has his own notoriety, that of the Devil Earl. Davina arrives at Marshall's home, Ambrose, with her aunt and no other friends or family to witness her wedding.

Marshall meets her for the first time on their wedding day and finds her beautiful and direct. They have a spectacular wedding night but by morning's light he pretty much ignores her.

Davina is hurt my Marshall's actions and when she discovers he has horrific visions at night, she will not be persuaded that her husband is mad, even though he is truly convinced that he is. Marshall has a long complex history. He was a diplomat and his travels took him to China where he was imprisoned and suffered terrible abuse.

Davina is courageous and not afraid of her husband's attacks. She truly believes he is sane and tries to reach him logically, then emotionally. She is bold and when she questions Marshall on his lack interest on getting an heir, she absolutely stumps him. Marshall fears himself especially with Davina; he might hurt her in a rage, so when she is distant it is almost a relief.

Adding to this plot is Davina's aunt, who is more than she appears, plus Marshall's uncle who has a hidden life too. There's an extra plotline that was a bit of a surprise and while it was enlightening on the fate of the Chinese, it was a bit of a distraction from the novel, it could have in fact been another complete novel.

There are strong gothic overtones to this story which I liked but the ending was a bit rushed. Davina and Marshall were really not together for several chapters and this broke some of the emotional connection they had. This is still a good read with a smart heroine who looks beyond the obvious and trusts her instincts and her love for her husband.

Karen Ranney has outdone herself. I've read some of her other books, but they are average compared to The Devil Wears Tartan. This is a marvel! The silly book jacket and title are misleading. Ranney's story is deep, dark and fascinating. Her characters are real and extremely sympathetic. Davina, her heroine, is that curious, obstinate, courageous yet endearing type of character that has been used over and over in Romance. But, Ranney somehow makes Davina completely original. I loved her. And Ranney's hero, Marshall, is a mysterious, tortured individual with a dark past. But, he's also an interesting, intelligent and thoroughly original character - not cookie cutter at all. Ranney is masterful with her descriptions of Scotland. But, she sets the story in the Victorian era with both characters fascinated with ancient Egypt. Truly unique. This book was very reminiscent of Deanna Raybourn's Victorian mysteries. But, this was wholly a romance too. The story centers on Davina and Marshall's growing relationship, which in the end, transcends the darkness. The Devil Wears Tartan is marvelous. Don't pass this up because of Avon's ridiculous book jacket. Ranney has written a smart, wonderful novel.

THE DEVIL WEARS TARTAN
KAREN RANNEY
Historical Romance
Avon Historical Romance
Sensuality Level: Sexy
ISBN# 978-0061252426
384 Pages
$6.99
Paperback--Available Now

Rating: 5 Enchantments

Davina McLaren is set to be wed to the Earl of Lorne, other wise known as `the Devil of Ambrose', a man she has never met. Of course, with her reputation, it is the best match a girl could hope for--or so her aunt Theresa keeps telling her. And so Davina finds herself walking down the aisle at Ambrose towards a life she knows nothing about.

Earl of Lorne, Marshal Ross, the supposed `Devil of Ambrose' is haunted by nightmares, visions of bloody men, of blood pouring down his walls all courtesy of his time held as a captive in China. Fearing he's doomed to go mad, he sent his solicitor out to find him a wife, hopeful for an heir before madness consumes him completely. What he doesn't expect is Davina. She challenges him in ways he never expected and in turn, he finds himself feeling something he never thought possible.

I loved this couple! Davina, despite being plagued by the scandal of her past, hides her fear of her new, unknown situation well and from the first moment these two meet at their wedding, the chemistry is quite apparent. Marshall, plagued by what happens at night, fights his attraction for his newfound bride, not wanting anyone, especially her to know the depths of his torment. But things begin to happen and Marshall soon finds himself in danger. What I loved most though was the different feel this story had compared to a typical historical romance. I thought Davina and Marshall were a most well matched couple. My absolutely favorite scene in the book, takes place the morning after the wedding when she goes out in search of her new husband. The banter back and forth between the two then and throughout the book is quite enjoyable. Readers looking for a great historical romance won't go wrong picking up THE DEVIL WEARS TARTAN.

Karen Ranney began writing when she was five. Her first published work was The Maple Leaf, read over the school intercom when she was in the first grade. In addition to wanting to be a violinist (her parents had a special violin crafted for her when she was seven), she wanted to be a lawyer, a teacher, and, most of all, a writer. The violin discarded early, she still admits to a fascination with the law, and she volunteers as a teacher whenever needed. Writing, however, has remained an overwhelming love of hers.

Lisa
Enchanting Reviews
November 2008

Sadly, I've come to associate many books with a shirtless man in plaid on the cover with fun, fluffy reading. Not so with this particular story, and I have to say I was both pleasantly surprised and impressed. Neither the hero nor heroine were stereotypes, with Marshall fearing he's mentally ill and Davina being an educated, outspoken young lady who recently became ruined in the eyes of society. They're both refreshingly three dimensional and although I felt like the suspense subplot could have done with a lot more work, I thoroughly enjoyed this couple's journey. Definitely a dark horse!

**3 1/2 Bookmarks, courtesy of Wild on Books**

Davina McLaren's own foolish actions earned her the scorn of society, costing her any chance at a decent betrothal. When her aunt manages to bargain a marriage to the infamous Marshall Ross, Davina is more than skittish, she is downright terrified. No one quite knows why the mysterious Earl of Lorne is referred to in hushed tones as the `Devil of Ambrose', but Davina isn't axious to find out.

Upon meeting Marshall, though, she is drawn to that very devil, surrendering her body and her heart to him before she knows what hits her. But her new husband insists their marriage stay strictly business, only sharing intimacy for the purposes of producing an heir to his title.

There is a lot to like about THE DEVIL WEARS TARTAN by Karen Ranney. Both the hero and the heroine of the piece, while they are people with flaws, are immensely likable and easy to empathize with. For me, that is a key element for me to enjoy a book.

The hero, Marshall, is wonderfully conflicted by his torturous past and his current fears that he is losing his sanity. No matter how much he may love his bride, he is terrified of letting go and doing her some irreparable harm. Consequently, he does whatever he can to stay away from her. Easier said than done, of course, and the fun is in watching him lose that struggle.

For Davina's part, she is a bright spot in his life. Her inquisitive nature both unnerves him and delights him, and it is no wonder he cannot resist a woman who speaks her mind in a manner devoid of guile and loves with all of her heart.

What was missing for me was a strong antagonist. While there was a villain in this story, we don't really feel much of this threat throughout most of the book. There are very vague `hints' in the form of random thoughts by that character, but they never really feel at all diabolical or like they are more than passing musings. When the big reveal comes at the end, it feels a bit out of the blue, without real build-up. The plot itself was a good one, but could have benefited from the infusion of more suspense during the story.

Karen Ranney is an author to watch, for sure. She has a talent for creating believable characters who you can't help but want to see a happy ending for.