SOLD TO A LAIRD REVIEWS

 

 

One of the things that I’ve found in Ranney’s writings is how vividly real her characters are as she brings them to life.  Not only do you see them in your mind, but you also get to feel their pain, their passion and every emotion that makes a person human.  In other words the reader is emotionally involved in every aspect of their life right from the very first.  That is not to say you won’t be surprised with twists and turns, but you will understand their motives on an emotional level.   

Marilyn Rondeau - CK's Kwips and Kritiques

 

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Romance blooms like a rose as Douglas peels away layers of bruised feelings and insecurities to open Sarah’s heart to his deep and eternal love. Sarah’s eventual realization that she loves Douglas as much as he loves her is evidence that Douglas’ steadfast attentions and dedication to winning her heart are indeed successful. This is a romance novel for true lovers of the genre. Reading Sold to a Laird is like eating a box of fine chocolates – better savored than devoured, although the temptation is great to read the whole book in one sitting.

ReaderToReader.com

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Once again Ranney demonstrates her incredible ability to create a powerful story brimming with passion and flair. Her characters, intelligent with extreme emotional depth, immediately grab the reader. This highly emotional story is one to be treasured and long remembered.

4-1/2 Stars - Featured Top Pick - Romantic Times

 

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I love Karen Ranney’s writing and her in-depth analyses of people’s foibles, good and bad. This character driven story grips the reader at page one when Sarah brushes aside her terror to confront her cruel, domineering father. It’s also when Douglas sees a little of himself as he conquered fears to become the man he is. While secondary characters are a strong part of the book, Sarah and Douglas dominate.

Romance Reviews Today

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I loved this book and found it delightfully thoughtful as it took me through all the steps of Sarah and Douglas’ courtship.  The story builds, brick by fascinating brick, into a marvelous love story that was hard to put down.  Readers of this author are sure to love this book and if you are thinking of trying a historical romance, I suggest beginning with this one.  Not to be missed this holiday season.

Romance Readers Connection

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Ms. Ranney takes readers through a wide range of emotions in SOLD TO A LAIRD. Readers will experience Sarah’s profound grieving at her beloved mother’s death and then the healing. She demonstrates the use of words as a powerful aphrodisiac in Douglas’s seduction of Sarah. There will not be a dry eye or a more anticipated seduction.

Fresh Fiction

 

A SCOTSMAN IN LOVE REVIEWS

 

Ranney infuses a traditional plot -- two wounded souls hiding from life and love -- with such intense emotional and memorable characters that their love story is unforgettable. Then she weaves in threads of guilt, grief, shame, fear, obsession and revenge, making everything even more soul-searing.  4-1/2 Stars - Top Pick - Romantic Times

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For me, comfort reads often involve a lot of angst. Something about the theme of love as redemption, and seeing love heal characters and help free themselves from their suffering reaches me on a deeply emotional level. That's one of the reasons I enjoy Karen Ranney's work; she does tortured characters quite well. In A Scotsman in Love, two characters who have experienced deep sorrow find their way to one another - and a very happy ending.  B+, Lynn Spencer, AAR 

 

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I thoroughly loved this book the characters are so vivid and both haunted and suffering from tragedies that have left them in the darkest places of their lives. I love how their feelings for each other heal them both and if your like me a hopeless romantic this is one of those truly feel good romances that you will fly through. Mrs. Ranney’s writing is poetic and infinitely romantic. You don’t want to miss this one!!! It’s simply wonderful!  Night Owl Romance

 

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You know when you pick up a romance by Karen Ranney, one of the things you can count on is a character-driven story filled with great emotional depth and passionate love scenes. A SCOTSMAN IN LOVE contains all that—and so much more. Margaret and McDermott are both physically and emotionally wounded people, both trying to move forward by accepting and letting go of their pasts. And as you and I both know from real life situations, that isn’t always an easy thing to do. Romance Readers at Heart

 

THE DEVIL WEARS TARTAN REVIEWS

 

Ms. Ranney has written about emotions so raw and intense, readers will need to stop reading and catch their breath. But Davina and Marshall's riveting story draws readers back into their world as they painfully expose their souls, risking rejection in their search for love.

 

Suan Wiilson

 Fresh Fiction

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This is a wonderful historical romance with a bit of a gothic feel to it. Marshall has suffered terribly at the hands of the Chinese due to his uncle’s nefarious deeds, and his haunted by guilt for the loss of his men. Davina’s curiosity about the opposite sex had disastrous results, leaving her a pariah in local society. This is a promising start and the author fulfills all those promises. Their love story is unusual, but passionate and compassionate in turns...Davina’s resourcefulness, stubbornness and great love for her husband bring this story out of the ordinary and I will definitely be reading it again.

 

Maura

Coffee Time Romance

 

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THE DEVIL WEARS TARTAN is a deeply emotional, highly intriguing, engaging tale that will grab you from page one. The characters are refreshing and the plot offers a unique look at life in 1870 Scotland. There are some very hard scenes to read, mostly dealing with Marshall's secrets, but these scenes add a great deal of appeal to THE DEVIL WEARS TARTAN. Ms. Ranney has written a wonderful romance that is sure to please fans of her previous work. THE DEVIL WEARS TARTAN is a story I'd suggest all fans eager for something just a little different, but still strong on romance. You are sure to be delighted,

 

Wendy Keel

The Romance Readers Connection

 

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This is the first book by Karen Ranney that I have read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Set in1870 Scotland, it’s an intensely passionate and emotionally moving story of despair, love, hope and finally, happiness. I highly recommend it.

P.J. Ausdenmore

Romance Novel TV

 

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Fans of Karen Ranney will not be disappointed in her latest Scottish tale. It's one of her best, in my opinion, with such well-rounded, realistic characters and a profoundly moving premise. Marshall's "madness" is heartrending, as is his need to do the honorable thing with Davina in order to protect her. With her grim determination to get to the bottom of Marshall's illness, Davina shows herself to be as honorable and thoughtful as her husband, as well as innovative in her approach. Secondary characters bring a sense of mystery, as well as some humor, to the story, especially Davina's extraordinary Aunt Theresa.

 

Jani Brooks

Romance Reviews Today

 

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Karen Ranney's THE DEVIL WEARS TARTAN leaves me nearly speechless. Nearly, I say, because I have so much to say about it that I cannot put it into a few simple paragraphs. I am certain I could bore some to tears with my enthusiasm for this book over the next hour, but I do not believe I am allowed that amount of space to write. So, since I do not, here is just a brief, not at all complete review, of a book that, without a doubt, is my favorite historical romance book of 2008.  Top Pick

 

Shannon Johnson

Romance Reader at Heart

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Karen Ranney’s “The Devil Wears Tartan” is a winner!!! It will forever grace my KEEPER shelf. Marshall and Davina are both flawed in their own way, but through the power of empathy, and forgiveness, they form a bond that can never be broken. I will remember these two characters for a very long time. I highly recommend this tantalizing, breathtaking, and emotional story.  I give this story 5 ***** stars! And I look forward to reading more by this author.

Highland Lassie


THE SCOTTISH COMPANION REVIEWS

 

With her ability to write a multilayered plot and dynamic characters, Ranney delivers sizzling stories that are addictive. Her latest is tantalizing, provocative and perceptive.

 

Kathe Robin

Romantic Times

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Every time I pick up a book by Karen Ranney, I get completely immersed in it. The Scottish Companion is no exception. It's gripping, emotional, and has a cast of characters who are memorable. Grant is the dutiful, but reluctant heir, responsible, honorable, and, on the surface, cold. It takes a woman like Gillian to bring him to his senses about life, and she, too, is hesitant to deal with her true feelings. She knows what happened the last time she let her emotions rule. The Fentons and the countess are interesting secondary players, bringing a touch of mystery to the story. Romance is in the air, but just how will it pan out? Will Arabella become the countess that Grant needs? Who wants the Roberson line to be extinguished? And why? All are answered in the exciting, surprising conclusion.

The Scottish Companion is one more beautifully written novel by Karen Ranney and it shouldn't be missed. 

 

Jani Brooks

Romance Reviews Today

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Though I know she does not like to file things away with ratings, groupings, categories, and the like, Karen Ranney will just have to deal with the fact that she is in a class by herself.

Karen's many novels encompass so many of the things I look for in a well-told romance. They are passionate, articulate, intriguing, and boast of plots that no one can duplicate, due to the fact that her style is so original. She adds elements of invention, early medicinal and herbal practices, and dialogue that I suspect mimics conversations in the past better than most historical romance. There is an aloofness about her work that serves to draw you in, while the characters and difference from run-of-the-mill stories keep you there. The Scottish Companion is a perfect example of all of these things.

 

So, despite the dreaded rating system I know Karen Ranney would prefer not to have to participate in, The Scottish Companion is a Top Pick because it flows effortlessly, tugs at the heartstrings, and is in a word... classy.

Shannon Johnson

Romance Reader at Heart

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Ms. Ranney excels in writing complicated, emotional tales that delve into the darker side of human nature. Her flawed characters rail at injustices while trying to overcome their own imperfections.

Suan Wilson
 Fresh Fiction

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It felt good to read a great romance that felt every inch a romance of the kind I fell in love with years ago. This is not a light-hearted romance - anyone familiar with Ms. Ranney’s writing knows she has a darker, almost gothic undertone to her works - yet Gillian and Grant had me smiling. The dark, sinister mystery of The Scottish Companion is balanced out perfectly with the beautiful true love story that is its prominent feature. Don't miss this one! - Desert Isle Keeper Review, A-

Lisa Gardineer

AAR

 

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The Scottish Companion is a suspenseful story of two people who seem to come to life in the book. I love a book that grabs you on page one and holds you to the final chapter. This one is a keeper.

 

Robert H. Goss

Roundtable Reviews

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The Scottish Companion is a thrilling read that captures the heart as the reader is lured into the lives of the enticing characters. Grant and Gillian have both suffered sorrow and the way they are able to share communication is like a healing to their soul. The portrayal of the well-spun characters breathe life into the pages, and Grant’s mother, Dorothea, Countess of Straithern, is no exception after losing a husband and two sons. I could almost feel her loss and how she worries over Grant. It is a genuine love. Arabella plays a good part in the story that keeps the reader guessing if Grant will go through the marriage. The climatic ending leaves the reader in awe in this captivating story. Karen Ranney is a remarkable author with a special aptitude in her writing that produces compassion and strong emotions that create a believable tale.

 

Cherokee

Coffee Time Romance

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Oh how I loved The Scottish Companion!  Karen Ranney wrote a simply delightful and often times steamy historical romance that kept me guessing the entire book.  I could not for the life of me figure out ‘the bad guy’ and when it was finally revealed, I could have smacked my forehead.  It seems that I was entirely focused on the love Grant and Gillian had for each other.  Their turmoil at the thought of being without the other made me tear up more than once and even I was looking for ways to keep Grant from marrying Arabella.  Throw in a subplot the likes of which I had not seen before, and this historical loving reviewer was in pure reading bliss.

 

Talia Ricci

Joyfully Reviewed

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AN UNLIKELY GOVERNESS REVIEWS

 

You can add Ranney to a list of authors that begins with the Brontë sisters, Mary Stewart and Daphne du Maurier. She enlivens the classic gothic for a modern audience. Strong, intelligent and admirable characters, a chilling backdrop, suspense and the surprises readers crave in an exceptional gothic mystery are all here. Savor the joy of this passionate tale,

 

Kathe Robin

Romantic Times

 

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It's rare to find a true Gothic romance, complete with castle, threatened governess heroine, and
brooding hero in today's market, but Ranney has given readers just that-and then some. Forced to seek employment at the dreaded Castle Crannoch, Beatrice Sinclair finds a young lord in need of protection, a fascinating but typically enigmatic cousin, and a mystery that
desperately needs solving. The author weaves it all together in a dark, sensual story that won't disappoint.

 

Library Journal, 11/05

 

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Karen Ranney has done it again! AN UNLIKELY GOVERNESS is a story you won’t be able to put down until the very last page is turned. Startlingly gothic in its tone and ambiance, AN UNLIKELY GOVERNESS is truly a heart wrenching tale of love lost and love renewed. Fans of historical romance won’t want to pass up this novel, it’s another solid effort from an author well deserving of all the accolades she has earned. 

 

Romance Junkies

 

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The main characters are fully developed and stand out as individuals with quirks and traits that distinguish them. And several minor persons grace the novel and add to the well-crafted plot. I recommend AN UNLIKELY GOVERNESS as highly entertaining on various levels; the romantic, the sensuous, the mysterious, and -- not least -- the sheer fun.

 

Jane Bowers

Romance Reviews Today

 

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Dark, moody and intriguing, AN UNLIKELY GOVERNESS captures the essence of a good Gothic romance. Ms. Ranney deftly explores the ambiguous and imperfect love between father and son, the horrific affects of warped love and the power of a new love.

 

Fresh Fiction

 

TILL NEXT WE MEET REVIEWS

Till Next We Meet - is a touching and poignant love story that revolves around two lonely souls.  The love story between Moncrief and Catherine is one of the most caring and special I have read about in a long time.  The dialogue, the scenic Scottish setting, and the cast of colorful characters all combine together in a very romantic and lovely story.  

 

Romance Junkies, 4/05

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Till Next We Meet - Ms Ranney gives us a powerful, emotional, and touching story of a woman struggling to come to terms with the death of her husband.  Readers are taken on a journey filled with raw emotions from Catherine as she grows from a pitiful woman to a woman who's a tower of strength and capable of accepting reality instead of illusion.

 

Freshfiction.com, 5/05

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Till Next We Meet  - For readers looking for emotionally charged and intelligent writing, unexcelled depth to and emotional connections between a romance's characters, and sensual prose that will literally take your breath away, none can compare with Karen Ranney.

 

Romancereaderatheart.com, 5/05

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Till Next We Meet - This is an intense, emotional read, and I highly recommend it. 

 

Rakehell.com, 5/05

 

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Till Next We Meet - With her special talent for creating beautiful, intelligent love stories overflowing with tenderness and poignancy, Ranney takes this classic plot and breathes new life into the tragic tale by adding a gothic twist.

 

Romantic Times, 5/05

 

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