A Scottish Love [Mass Market Paperback]

Karen Ranney (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 29, 2011

Shona Imrie should have agreed to Gordon MacDermond’s proposal of marriage seven years ago—before he went off to war and returned a national hero—but the proud Scottish lass would accept no man’s charity. The dashing soldier would never truly share her love and the passion that left her weak and breathless — or so she believed—so instead she gave herself to another. Now she faces disgrace, poverty, and a life spent alone for her steadfast refusal to follow her heart.

Honored with a baronetcy for his courage under fire, Gordon has everything he could ever want—except for the one thing he most fervently desires: the headstrong beauty he foolishly let slip through his fingers. Conquering Shona’s stubborn pride, however, will prove his most difficult battle—though it is the one for which he is most willing to risk his life, his heart, and his soul.

Editorial Reviews

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; Original edition (November 29, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062027786
• ISBN-13: 978-0062027788
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #394,809 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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Too much of a downer, November 29, 2011

By 

Jen "Red Hot Books" (Southeast United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: A Scottish Love (Mass Market Paperback)

Life pretty much sucks for Shona. She married a man she didn't love, who withered away before her eyes and left her a penniless widow. Her brother, Fergus, was crippled in the war. And she has had to sell everything she owns to take care of him and her companion, Helen. The only thing she has left of value is the family's ancestral castle, and she must part with that too, or else she'll have to become a beggar.

As if all that were not bad enough, her long lost love, Gordon, has come back in her life. Her father talked her out of marrying him before he went off to war and time has not softened their feelings for one another. But even as they are still drawn to one another, neither can get over the wounds of their past.

So Shona works to sell the castle to an American family... a horrible lot of people, while suffering mostly in silence. It's dreadfully depressing. And it's made worse when she begins to see that a lot of her heartbreak is of her own making. Even the love scenes are tempered with sadness and loss. Yes, the ending is happy, but for 90% of the book, I was ready to toss Shona off a cliff (or maybe toss myself off one) to end all the misery.

The book is well written, but it was a downer for too long for me to really enjoy. Even the ancient love story of the ghosts in the castle had a terrible ending. Not quite 3 stars.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read !, December 1, 2011

By 

Leah Weller "medievallady" (North Carolina) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Scottish Love (Mass Market Paperback)

I absolutly adore the characters in this book. Shona, a woman who is too stubborn, headstrong, and prideful for her own good, and Gordon, the man who conquers her fears and rekindles the love they once knew. Fergus, Shona's brother, who is trying to live with a war wound and deal with his own feelings of love for an angel of mercy. Helen, not only a companion, but a friend. And a long ago story of love so bittersweet it will squeeze your heart. There were moments that I busted out laughing and moments that I teared up. There was even a moment that I was there, on the hill, listening to outlawed pipes as the sound wrapped itself about me. Karen never fails to deliver, for me. I highly recomend this book to anyone who wants to lose theirself in a world of Scottish charm and love. Just remember, often the road to happiness is a bumpy one. Enjoy the ride!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 4.5!ANOTHER SCOTTISH MUST READ! A SCOTTISH LOVE BY KAREN RANNEY..., November 29, 2011

By 

April A. Renn "aarenn(AprilR)" (Henderson, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Scottish Love (Mass Market Paperback)

A SCOTTISH LOVE by Karen Ranney is an exciting historical romance set in 1859 Iverness,Scotland. This author has done it again with "A Scottish Love",while it has its sad times,it is a breathtaking story of love,struggle,secrets past and present,forgiveness,romance,sensual tension,a proud Scottish lass and a proud war decorated Scottish hero. Gordon MacDermond is a handsome,sexy,determined,war hero who has a past history with the beautiful,young widow Countess Shona Imrie Morton. While Shona's brother,Fergus,is home from war with a wounded leg,Shona is taking a secret. They are penniless and must sale their childhood home.This is a story with a need to be told as the characters learn to find forgiveness and true love. "A Scottish Love" will appeal to any reader who enjoys Scottish lasses,Scottish war heroes,historicals,Scotland,romance with maybe a ghost.A great read full of a few twists and turns as well as love and romance. Received for review from Net Galley and the publisher. Details can be found at Avon,an imprint of Harper Collins and My Book Addiction Reviews.