A Scandalous Scot by Karen Ranney

Welcome to Sugarbeat’s Books – The Home of the Romance Novel!

Today, a review of a book that I received as part of my Avon Addict packages. This was a new author to me, but one that I will seek out for more outstanding novels!  I hope you enjoy my thoughts on this book! For those of you who have not heard of Avon Addicts, this is a great opportunity and one that you should investigate if you are a reader like I am!

A Scandalous Scot by Karen Ranney
ISBN:978-0062027795

Release: June 26, 2012

Publisher: Avon Historicals

Blurb:
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.

A Scandalous Scot is a book that came in my “Avon Addict” box.  These boxes filled with books have been a joy to receive for the last few months. My husband groans every time new books come into the house, but these boxes delivered by the friendly courier man, have brought some interesting books into my house.  I have never read a book by Karen Ranney, but as soon as I was finished this book, I was on line searching out some of Ms. Ranney’s back list.
This book features Morgan MacCraig, and Earl who no longer has a place in parliament in England.  He had such high hopes when he headed off to England to take his father’s place when his father died.  With no one to guide him, he stumbles along the way.  He remains true to his sense of morals, however.  Although he doesn’t marry the first woman who comes his way, he certainly makes a bad choice.  When he can no longer stand the titters and pitying looks from his friends, he admits defeat.  He will never convince his wife to stop her blatant adultery, and he files for divorce.  This action, although he sees it as the right one, makes him an outcast.  He finally gives up and goes home to his beloved highlands.  Since he hasn’t been home in many years, his arrival requires an adjustment to his staff as well as his understanding of his world through adult eyes.

Jean MacDonald is also an outcast from society because of the actions of her doctor father.  After the death of her father, she and her sister are taken in by their aunt and put to work as maids in the MacCraig castle.  Within moments of Morgan’s arrival home, he encounters Jean, and the encounters continue.  He never knows where he will find her, but he knows that their encounters leave him unsettled.  When he is put in the position of having to marry Jean, he is not pleased, but the ensuing story is a wonderful one that only Ms. Ranney could do justice to.
This was a different sort of a story.  It wasn’t one filled with wild passion, but there was passion.  It wasn’t the prince meets princess type of story, but each main character could have easily fit into a fairy tale scenario.  Morgan needed a common sense helpmate to lead him through the discoveries that he had to make, and Jean needed a strong man to lean on for the first time in her life.
This wasn’t a fast moving story.  I was busy when I read this story and didn’t have the time to read for hours at a stretch.  I picked up and put down this story many times, but the story stayed with me as I did what ever I was doing in the inbetween times.  I would mull over what would happen next, and worry about what would happen to the various characters.
This author is new to me, and this writing style is new to me.  I’m used to being swept off my feet and overwhelmed by a story.  This was more of a pleasant surrounding or immersion into a world.  I like this style of writing, and I’m looking forward to the three new books sitting on my bedside table!

A Scandalous Scot is available at: Amazon

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (16 GB) – Now with a larger display, adjustable warm light, increased battery life, and faster page turns – Black

(60191)

$149.99 (as of September 5, 2024 13:45 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)