Tapestry [Paperback]

Karen Ranney (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1995

Returning from war with a scarred face that makes him believe that he is unworthy of the woman who has been faithful to him, Alex, the Earl of Cardiff, hides behind a mask and unsuccessfully attempts to deny his feelings. Original.

Editorial Reviews

Review

RT KISS Award

Tapestry - Ms. Ranney has taken the reader from the brightness joys of love to the darkest depths of loneliness. Like the tapestry of Laura-s life, she has woven a story well worth saving and long to be enjoyed. Heartland Critiques, 5/95

Tapestry is a marvelous debut, a "beauty in the beast" romance guarantee to steal your heart. The overwhelming tenderness and beauty of Laura and Alex's love makes Tapestry a very special love story. Romantic Times, 5/95

Tapestry is as intricately woven and beautifully crafted as its title. The characters are real, the writing is sumptuous, and Laura is a determined, dauntless heroine whose love for the irritatingly irascible Alex never waivers. Karen Ranney is certainly a new author to watch, and Zebra is to be commended for stepping beyond the bounds of formulaic romance stories to bring us this obviously uncommon talent. Affaire de Coeur, 5/95

These characters are so life-like, you will be able to feel their pain and bask in their triumphs as they unfold across the pages right before your very eyes. Such loveable, memorable characters will linger in the reader-s memory long after the book has been placed back on its shelf. This book is for anyone who seeks to escape from the realities of life. You will be swept away into a mesmerizing adventure filled with passion, heartache, and triumph. This book is a must read, and has earned keeper status on this reviewer-s shelf. A Romance Review, August, 2001

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 380 pages
• Publisher: Zebra (April 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821749021
• ISBN-13: 978-0821749029
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,320,701 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

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nothing Less than a FIVE Star will do!, August 21, 2002

By 

M. Rondeau (West Springfield, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tapestry (Paperback)

I'd give this 10 stars if I could - this book is sooooooo good! It is absolutely amazing that this is the author's first work! You start off with a young lady, the Lady Laura Blake, to be exact who is bound and determined to get to see the man she has loved her whole life since the age of 10.

Alex, the Earl of Cardiff, has come home from the war, after an absence of four years - horribly disfigured from a terrible accident. So disfigured that even with a mask covering most of his face, even his servants dare not look him in his one good eye. Posing as a country bred gal, she is hired as a kitchen worker in Heddon Hall - not that she knows anything of what goes on in a kitchen - but she eventually gets to serve him his meal and little by little she worms her way into becoming his reader, while a permanent secretary is sought. He does not recognize the hero worshipping neighbor, who was 12 years old when he left for war. It has some humourous parts as she proves to Alex that she does not pity but loves him completely and he does come to believe it with his whole heart.

The betrayals and the anguish of the reality of life is what the second part of the book is all about, and this is what, in my opinion make this book so great. The characters are written with such human feeling, they are multi-dimensional. Laura,shows the strength when her whole world seems to fall apart and disintegrate in her face, between betrayals and loss. You best have some hankies near by to gather in both fists, because you'd have to be made of stone not to cry.

Fabulous book - a gem of a 'classic' and one to re-read over and over! Find a copy at all costs!

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EMOTION-CHURNING 'BEAUTY & THE BEAST' LOVEFEST.............!, December 18, 1999

By 

Elera Tempest "ELERA" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tapestry (Paperback)

When I read the title & synopsis, I knew this novel'll be a 1st-rate weeper. But I was positively astonished by how highly-charged it turned out to be. Even the cover says it all, a dark-haired hero wearing a mask & a glove gazing somberly at the angelic heroine. What a pair ! The 1st half of the book is amusing & delightful. Infatuated since childhood, Laura dressed up as a grubby maid to win Alex's shielded heart and - thanks to her adoring uncles - managed to enrage & charm Alex with her constant & indiscriminate devotion. The 2nd half is almost too painful to read (don't get me wrong, I consumed the book in 1 sitting), as Alex was called to war again & tragedy struck in the hardest way imaginable. The ending is too wonderful - not the usual 'all is well' - to describe, tears & laughters included & wrapped up in a 380-page package. I was so impressed by this incredibly moving keeper that I went on a mission to collect all of her titles from the Auctions & so far 6 Ranney PBs have proudly graced my shelf. What the heck, go buy yourself a xmas gift & share it with your friends afterwards !

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A True Love Story!, August 8, 2004

By 

Once Upon A Time "Professional DayDreamer" (Southern Pines, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tapestry (Paperback)

I admit being moved to tears several times throughout this book. Karen Ranney has a talent for transforming a simple romance into an endearing love story.
I've read several romances that lay claim to a "scarred" hero but the extent of the scars may be nothing more than a limp or a single scar running along the side of the hero's face. I must admit that when I first read the full extent of Alex's scarring - I was shocked to the point of almost not reading the rest of the book. In my shallowness, I couldn't fathom how the heroine could possibly look past his numerous disfigurements to see the man beneath the "monster". That's when I discovered that "Tapestry" is more than a romance - it is a story about love - pure love. By the end of the book, I had fallen in love with Alex myself.

Why didn't I give it a 5 star rating? I tend to save this rating for books I would read again and again. Although this was a beautiful story illustrating the power and endurance of love - there were times when it was heartwrenching in its sorrow evoking very strong feelings of grief and loss that I care not visit again any time soon.

Romance, laughter, pain and loss - still love abounds in this masterpiece!!!