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MacIain #3
An American in Scotland
New York Times bestselling author Karen Ranney returns with the third heart-stirring novel in her latest series, a tale of deceit, desperate measures, and delirious desire
Rose MacIain is a beautiful woman with a secret. Desperate and at her wits' end, she crafts a fake identity for herself, one that Duncan MacIain will be unable to resist. But she doesn't realize that posing as the widow of the handsome Scotsman's cousin is more dangerous than she knew. And when a simmering attraction rises up between them, she begins to regret the whole charade.
Duncan is determined to resist the tempting Rose, no matter how much he admires her arresting beauty and headstrong spirit. When he agrees to accompany her on her quest, their desire for each other only burns hotter. The journey tests his resolve as their close quarters fuel the fire that crackles between them.
When the truth comes to light, these two stubborn people must put away their pride and along the way discover that their dreams of love are all they need.
Rose MacIain is a beautiful woman with a secret. Desperate and at her wits' end, she crafts a fake identity for herself, one that Duncan MacIain will be unable to resist. But she doesn't realize that posing as the widow of the handsome Scotsman's cousin is more dangerous than she knew. And when a simmering attraction rises up between them, she begins to regret the whole charade.
Duncan is determined to resist the tempting Rose, no matter how much he admires her arresting beauty and headstrong spirit. When he agrees to accompany her on her quest, their desire for each other only burns hotter. The journey tests his resolve as their close quarters fuel the fire that crackles between them.
When the truth comes to light, these two stubborn people must put away their pride and along the way discover that their dreams of love are all they need.
345 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 23, 2016
68 people are currently reading
686 people want to read
About the author
Karen Ranney
100 books947 followersI’m a writer who’s been privileged to have attained the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller Lists.
Although I've primarily written historical romance, I've also written contemporary romantic suspense, a murder mystery, and I'm having a wonderful time writing about a vampire who is being challenged by her new state of being. (The Montgomery Chronicles: The Fertile Vampire and The Reluctant Goddess coming March 12, 2015.)
I believe in the power of the individual, the magnificence of the human spirit, and always looking for the positive in any situation. I write about people who have been challenged by life itself but who win in the end.
Newsletter: http://karenranney.com/subscribe-warm...
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WriterKarenRa...
Website: http://karenranney.com
Email: karen@karenranney.com
Twitter: @Karen_Ranney
Although I've primarily written historical romance, I've also written contemporary romantic suspense, a murder mystery, and I'm having a wonderful time writing about a vampire who is being challenged by her new state of being. (The Montgomery Chronicles: The Fertile Vampire and The Reluctant Goddess coming March 12, 2015.)
I believe in the power of the individual, the magnificence of the human spirit, and always looking for the positive in any situation. I write about people who have been challenged by life itself but who win in the end.
Newsletter: http://karenranney.com/subscribe-warm...
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WriterKarenRa...
Website: http://karenranney.com
Email: karen@karenranney.com
Twitter: @Karen_Ranney
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
September 17, 2016
I've given this a C at AAR.
I enjoyed the previous two books in Karen Ranney’s McIain series, so was looking forward to An American in Scotland, which features Duncan MacIain, the steady and dependable owner of the MacIain family’s textile business, and who has appeared as a secondary character in the earlier novels. In the first book, In Your Wildest Scottish Dreams Duncan’s mill was struggling because of the difficulty of obtaining sufficient quantities of cotton from America owing to the Civil War, and the book’s hero, Lennox Cameron, was the owner of a successful ship-building business whose latest venture was building ships to run the blockade around US waters. He wasn’t the only one engaged in such activities, and as a result, Glasgow became a –perhaps unlikely – centre of intrigue, as spies for the Union flooded the city trying to root out Confederate sympathisers and cut off their enemies’ supply lines.
This all provided a fascinating background to the central romance in that book, especially for someone like me who knows little about the history of the American Civil War and even less about Glasgow’s involvement in it. It was clear in that story – just as it is in this one – that Duncan and people like him were not particularly sympathetic to the Confederate cause, but that they needed to do what they must in order to maintain their own livelihoods and those of the people who depended on them.
That aspect of the historical background features strongly in this latest addition to the series, as Rose O’Sullivan risks life and limb to run the blockade in order to travel to Scotland to sell the last of the cotton produced by her brother-in-law’s plantation to his Scottish cousin. Born in New York, Rose went to live at the Glengarden plantation outside Charleston with her sister Claire when she married its owner, Bruce MacIain.
When Rose arrives at the home of the Scottish branch of the family, she is exhausted and half-starved, nervous at not knowing what to expect and terrified because this is her last hope of providing for her family back at home. When the MacIains make the assumption that she is the widow of their American cousin Bruce, who has gone off to fight for the South, she doesn’t correct them, believing it best Duncan believes she has the right to sell the cotton by right of her supposed marriage. She knows that repaying the MacIains for their kindness with deception is a horrible thing to do, but if she can’t persuade Duncan to not only purchase the cotton, but to then run the blockade in order to retrieve it, her family will likely starve.
The first third or so of the book takes place in Scotland while Rose waiting anxiously for Duncan’s decision, with the rest of it covering the events of their journey to retrieve the cotton and their experiences at Glengarden. The journey is a dangerous one, made moreso when, in Nassau, Duncan is told that their ship is under surveillance and that orders have been given for its capture. And then there is the fact that Bruce, who has returned from the war minus a leg, hates Rose implacably for many reasons, not least of which are her sympathy for and kindness to the plantation slaves and her refusal to defer to him and bend to his wishes as every “good” Southern woman should do to the men around her.
Rose is an admirable character who has endured much for her beliefs and who refused to break, even when she was beaten, whipped and forced to work in the fields alongside the slaves. I liked her strength and courage, but the problem is that we are told, over and over and over about what Rose endured at Glengarden, about what a total bastard Bruce is, about her sympathy for the slaves, about the decadence and superficiality of the Southern lifestyle, about how Rose isn’t demure and submissive… honestly, if I was told once, I was told ten times and while it was interesting the first couple of times, the continual repetition really slows the pacing and disrupts the flow of the story.
Duncan is a decent hero, but isn’t fully fleshed out as a character. He’s kind, decent, responsible, and, perhaps, regarded as a bit of a stick-in-the-mud by his family. By the end of the book, he’s thinking about how much more adventurous he’s become since meeting Rose, but overall, he’s pretty bland.
My other major issue with the book is that for a romance, it doesn’t have much romance in it! I reached 35% on my Kindle, and Rose and Duncan had interacted only a few times. By that time, she’s been in Glasgow for a few weeks, and we’re told that she is attracted to Duncan and he to her, but I wasn’t shown that, and I certainly didn’t feel it. In fact, there is very little chemistry between them, and the romance, such as it is, is low key and not at all well developed. Both characters are straightforward, decent people, so there is no inner conflict to propel their relationship forward, or to provide those little lumps and bumps along the way which we like to watch them work out. It’s true that they are in a potentially life-threatening situation, but they have no control over that, and other than to make them go through that whole “let’s shag, for tomorrow we could die!” thing, it doesn’t have much bearing on their relationship.
Ultimately, I’m afraid that An American in Scotland proved to be a real slog and was tough to finish. I had to force myself to actually read rather than skim large sections of it because of the amount of repetition, and was disappointed at the lack of any real emotional connection between the hero and heroine, which ultimately led to my feeling rather disconnected from the novel as a whole. If I’d been grading the book solely as a romance, I doubt it would have scraped a C-, but because the writing is so strong, and the historical background so well-researched and interesting, I’m upping it to a C.
I enjoyed the previous two books in Karen Ranney’s McIain series, so was looking forward to An American in Scotland, which features Duncan MacIain, the steady and dependable owner of the MacIain family’s textile business, and who has appeared as a secondary character in the earlier novels. In the first book, In Your Wildest Scottish Dreams Duncan’s mill was struggling because of the difficulty of obtaining sufficient quantities of cotton from America owing to the Civil War, and the book’s hero, Lennox Cameron, was the owner of a successful ship-building business whose latest venture was building ships to run the blockade around US waters. He wasn’t the only one engaged in such activities, and as a result, Glasgow became a –perhaps unlikely – centre of intrigue, as spies for the Union flooded the city trying to root out Confederate sympathisers and cut off their enemies’ supply lines.
This all provided a fascinating background to the central romance in that book, especially for someone like me who knows little about the history of the American Civil War and even less about Glasgow’s involvement in it. It was clear in that story – just as it is in this one – that Duncan and people like him were not particularly sympathetic to the Confederate cause, but that they needed to do what they must in order to maintain their own livelihoods and those of the people who depended on them.
That aspect of the historical background features strongly in this latest addition to the series, as Rose O’Sullivan risks life and limb to run the blockade in order to travel to Scotland to sell the last of the cotton produced by her brother-in-law’s plantation to his Scottish cousin. Born in New York, Rose went to live at the Glengarden plantation outside Charleston with her sister Claire when she married its owner, Bruce MacIain.
When Rose arrives at the home of the Scottish branch of the family, she is exhausted and half-starved, nervous at not knowing what to expect and terrified because this is her last hope of providing for her family back at home. When the MacIains make the assumption that she is the widow of their American cousin Bruce, who has gone off to fight for the South, she doesn’t correct them, believing it best Duncan believes she has the right to sell the cotton by right of her supposed marriage. She knows that repaying the MacIains for their kindness with deception is a horrible thing to do, but if she can’t persuade Duncan to not only purchase the cotton, but to then run the blockade in order to retrieve it, her family will likely starve.
The first third or so of the book takes place in Scotland while Rose waiting anxiously for Duncan’s decision, with the rest of it covering the events of their journey to retrieve the cotton and their experiences at Glengarden. The journey is a dangerous one, made moreso when, in Nassau, Duncan is told that their ship is under surveillance and that orders have been given for its capture. And then there is the fact that Bruce, who has returned from the war minus a leg, hates Rose implacably for many reasons, not least of which are her sympathy for and kindness to the plantation slaves and her refusal to defer to him and bend to his wishes as every “good” Southern woman should do to the men around her.
Rose is an admirable character who has endured much for her beliefs and who refused to break, even when she was beaten, whipped and forced to work in the fields alongside the slaves. I liked her strength and courage, but the problem is that we are told, over and over and over about what Rose endured at Glengarden, about what a total bastard Bruce is, about her sympathy for the slaves, about the decadence and superficiality of the Southern lifestyle, about how Rose isn’t demure and submissive… honestly, if I was told once, I was told ten times and while it was interesting the first couple of times, the continual repetition really slows the pacing and disrupts the flow of the story.
Duncan is a decent hero, but isn’t fully fleshed out as a character. He’s kind, decent, responsible, and, perhaps, regarded as a bit of a stick-in-the-mud by his family. By the end of the book, he’s thinking about how much more adventurous he’s become since meeting Rose, but overall, he’s pretty bland.
My other major issue with the book is that for a romance, it doesn’t have much romance in it! I reached 35% on my Kindle, and Rose and Duncan had interacted only a few times. By that time, she’s been in Glasgow for a few weeks, and we’re told that she is attracted to Duncan and he to her, but I wasn’t shown that, and I certainly didn’t feel it. In fact, there is very little chemistry between them, and the romance, such as it is, is low key and not at all well developed. Both characters are straightforward, decent people, so there is no inner conflict to propel their relationship forward, or to provide those little lumps and bumps along the way which we like to watch them work out. It’s true that they are in a potentially life-threatening situation, but they have no control over that, and other than to make them go through that whole “let’s shag, for tomorrow we could die!” thing, it doesn’t have much bearing on their relationship.
Ultimately, I’m afraid that An American in Scotland proved to be a real slog and was tough to finish. I had to force myself to actually read rather than skim large sections of it because of the amount of repetition, and was disappointed at the lack of any real emotional connection between the hero and heroine, which ultimately led to my feeling rather disconnected from the novel as a whole. If I’d been grading the book solely as a romance, I doubt it would have scraped a C-, but because the writing is so strong, and the historical background so well-researched and interesting, I’m upping it to a C.
April 25, 2016
3.5 stars.
Rose O'Sullivan travelled from South Carolina to Scotland to broker a deal with her brother-in-law's cousin, Duncan MacIain, for the cotton produced at Glasglen plantation .
Rose's sister Claire was married to the master of the plantation, Bruce MacIain, who was off fighting for the confederacy. Meanwhile the people if the plantation were suffering and starving. Unable to get fair prices for their cotton, Rose decided to ask the last person to make a reasonable bid for the cotton.
Upon arrival in Scotland, the MacIains mistakenly assumed Rose was Bruce's widow because she wore all black for mourning, she carried the letters exchanged by Bruce and Duncan over the years, and she was bargaining on behalf of Bruce. Out of fear and desperation, Rose allowed their false assumptions to stand.
Duncan MacIain, who was attracted and intrigued by the red-headed Rose, agreed to buy the cotton, and they set sail for America. It was clear that both were nursing feelings for each other, but when Duncan discovered Rose's duplicity, he was torn. How can he love someone whom he cannot trust?
I liked this book but the story took awhile to get going. It was also more historical fiction than historical romance. It felt like the author spent more time laying the foundation of the civil war issues, than the actual romance between Rose and Duncan.
I liked Rose because it took courage and resourcefulness to take the business leap of faith she did by seeking out the Scotland MacIains. She also was passionate about her beliefs and care for others. Duncan was a hard working and principled man. They suited well but for Rose's initial deception.
I thought the mistrust and anger dragged a bit. I was hoping more love, forgiveness and just romance than I actually got here. But fans of Pamela Clare's historical romances would enjoy this book as style is similar.
*Special Thanks to Tasty Book Tours and Avon Books via Edelweiss for advance reading copy.
Rose O'Sullivan travelled from South Carolina to Scotland to broker a deal with her brother-in-law's cousin, Duncan MacIain, for the cotton produced at Glasglen plantation .
Rose's sister Claire was married to the master of the plantation, Bruce MacIain, who was off fighting for the confederacy. Meanwhile the people if the plantation were suffering and starving. Unable to get fair prices for their cotton, Rose decided to ask the last person to make a reasonable bid for the cotton.
Upon arrival in Scotland, the MacIains mistakenly assumed Rose was Bruce's widow because she wore all black for mourning, she carried the letters exchanged by Bruce and Duncan over the years, and she was bargaining on behalf of Bruce. Out of fear and desperation, Rose allowed their false assumptions to stand.
Duncan MacIain, who was attracted and intrigued by the red-headed Rose, agreed to buy the cotton, and they set sail for America. It was clear that both were nursing feelings for each other, but when Duncan discovered Rose's duplicity, he was torn. How can he love someone whom he cannot trust?
I liked this book but the story took awhile to get going. It was also more historical fiction than historical romance. It felt like the author spent more time laying the foundation of the civil war issues, than the actual romance between Rose and Duncan.
I liked Rose because it took courage and resourcefulness to take the business leap of faith she did by seeking out the Scotland MacIains. She also was passionate about her beliefs and care for others. Duncan was a hard working and principled man. They suited well but for Rose's initial deception.
I thought the mistrust and anger dragged a bit. I was hoping more love, forgiveness and just romance than I actually got here. But fans of Pamela Clare's historical romances would enjoy this book as style is similar.
*Special Thanks to Tasty Book Tours and Avon Books via Edelweiss for advance reading copy.
March 5, 2017
They were, perhaps, all fools to be on the Raven, but he was the biggest fool of all.
EVERYONE is a fool.
Four words: Too Many Twee Details.
Other words:
Disappointing.
Too much telling rather than showing.
Every one is too ridiculously nice and lovely. When one woman is described as "a character from a novel," I'm afraid I laughed, because EVERY person in this book is unrealistic and somewhat archetypal.
And by the numbers:
Number of times Bruce punishing Rose is described: 7
Number of times Duncan muses that he's never felt this way about a woman before: 9 ... Maybe. I lost track.
Number of times Rose thinks to herself "I should tell him the truth." WAYYY too many. At least 5. Out with it already! I hate deception.
Number of times Rose tells herself she should eat since she went hungry for so long - 8?
Number of days Rose goes without washing her hair: 9? I think. Yuck.
Number of times Duncan tells someone that he's not a saint - 6
Number of times Duncan drags two fingers across Rose's skin - 3 (why always two fingers? Why not one finger? or a whole hand? why this obsession with two fingers??)
How many trite situations are included?
Obligatory description of heroine as dedicated reader - check!
Magical negro - check!
Hero teaches heroine how to kiss - check!
Heroine has sexytimes just this once, "for the memories" - check!
“I want you, Rose. If you start something, I may not be able to stop.” - check!
HEROINE CONCEALS VIRGINITY BUT HE NOTICES AS SOON AS HE SLIPS IT IN - CHECK!
Heroine ridiculously stubborn about something inane - check!
Completely 100% vile antagonist - check!
Heroine gets herself into a potentially fatal yet totally avoidable situation for no good reason - check!
Endless internal monologues - check!
I bought this one on sale from Amazon, because I read that it included the "forced fugitives" trope that I love, plus I'm always looking for good Scottish romance. I was disappointed. Sadly, I love the idea of Scottish romances more than I've loved any actual novels.
August 30, 2023
Quickie Review:
I am marking this one as a DNF. I just really struggled with this one and it also wasn't what I was expecting it to be. This one just wasn't clicking for me and I have been trying to read this one for over a week and its just not clicking for me. So I am passing on this one unfortunately. I might try this later in ebook sometime. I don't think the narration is working for me very well, not as much as I expected it to be.
I am marking this one as a DNF. I just really struggled with this one and it also wasn't what I was expecting it to be. This one just wasn't clicking for me and I have been trying to read this one for over a week and its just not clicking for me. So I am passing on this one unfortunately. I might try this later in ebook sometime. I don't think the narration is working for me very well, not as much as I expected it to be.
October 27, 2019
Dgn setting Perang Saudara di AS, Konfederasi vs Union, novel ini dilatarbelakangi ttg sebuah keluarga kaya di Selatan, yg jelas memihak Konfederasi utk kepentingannya sendiri. Utk yg masih awam ttg sejarah ini, Abraham Lincoln, Presiden AS saat itu mengumumkan Deklarasi Kemerdekaan setiap manusia, yg sangat ditentang oleh pihak Selatan yg masih menerapkan aturan perbudakan, sehingga terjadilah perang antara pihak Utara (Union) dgn pihak Selatan (Konfederasi).
Saya kecewa berat dgn karakter heroine-nya, Rose O'Sullivan. Bukan krn dia berbohong ttg identitasnya sbg janda pdhl masih perawan. Bukan pula pada kelancangannya menyeberangi samudra utk mencari pembeli potensial kapas yg diproduksi perkebunan kakak iparnya. Mau tahu apa? Saya merasa Rose ini di-over glorifikasi oleh author (yup.. lagi-lagi sandungannya ini-ini mulu). Rose ini sudah sebatangkara tanpa adanya ayah dan kakak-kakaknya yg gugur dlm perang, dan Rose memilih utk tinggal dgn kakak iparnya, Bruce yg beristrikan kakak perempuannya, Claire, yg tinggal di Glengarden, selatan AS dan jelas-jelas tidak menginginkan perubahan apapun macam pembebasan budak. Nah, sedangkan Rose ini penganut abolisionis alias penentang segala macam perbudakan dan terus-menerus bertentangan dgn Bruce selaku tuan rumah, pdhl Rose ini ibarat tamu loh. Jadilah dia disiksa melulu sama Bruce dan anehnya (ini jadi pertanyaan saya terus-menerus) knp Rose gak kabur aja, toh tempat Rose bukan di Glengarden tsb? Apakah Rose ini pengidap masokis? Walaupun atas dasar kemanusiaan yg tinggi, saya kurang bisa membenarkan tindakan Rose yg melepaskan para budak sedikit demi sedikit, krn itu bukan wewenang Rose. Rose bukan istri Bruce, dia hanya ipar yg numpang tinggal bagi saya. Mau gak kamu menerima tamu yg sok memberesi rumahmu pdhl tidak kau minta? Terlepas si Bruce ini luar biasa keji pd budak-budaknya, kemarahan Bruce masuk di nalar krn Rose selalu menjadi duri dalam daging di keluarganya.
Dan yg bikin gregetan juga sisi naif Rose, seolah dia gak (mau) paham sifat dan sikap Claire, kakaknya Rose ini. Saya juga depresi berat, koq gak ada empati sama sekali atas penderitaan adiknya? Bisa ya orang macam Claire ini hidup dlm gelembungnya sendiri seolah-olah sudah layak dan sepantasnya dia hidup enak-enak diatas penderitaan org lain. Dan gilanya, mereka benar-benar terkucil dan picik, gak mau tau apa yg terjadi di dunia luar sana. Walaupun kata org cinta itu buta, seandainya saya jadi Claire yg cinta setengah mampus pd suami macam Bruce, lebih baik saya usir saja adik saya drpd melihat Rose disiksa seperti budak begitu.
Sisi bagus dari novel ini cuma Duncan MacIain, hero yg akan melakukan apapun utk menolong heroine-nya, menembus blokade, menyelamatkan nyawa kekasihnya yg bodoh ini.
Ini buku terakhir dari seri MacIain ini, kesimpulan saya semua bukunya biasa-biasa saja, over glorifikasi heroine yg gak masuk akal tapi lumayan bagus di settingnya.
Saya kecewa berat dgn karakter heroine-nya, Rose O'Sullivan. Bukan krn dia berbohong ttg identitasnya sbg janda pdhl masih perawan. Bukan pula pada kelancangannya menyeberangi samudra utk mencari pembeli potensial kapas yg diproduksi perkebunan kakak iparnya. Mau tahu apa? Saya merasa Rose ini di-over glorifikasi oleh author (yup.. lagi-lagi sandungannya ini-ini mulu). Rose ini sudah sebatangkara tanpa adanya ayah dan kakak-kakaknya yg gugur dlm perang, dan Rose memilih utk tinggal dgn kakak iparnya, Bruce yg beristrikan kakak perempuannya, Claire, yg tinggal di Glengarden, selatan AS dan jelas-jelas tidak menginginkan perubahan apapun macam pembebasan budak. Nah, sedangkan Rose ini penganut abolisionis alias penentang segala macam perbudakan dan terus-menerus bertentangan dgn Bruce selaku tuan rumah, pdhl Rose ini ibarat tamu loh. Jadilah dia disiksa melulu sama Bruce dan anehnya (ini jadi pertanyaan saya terus-menerus) knp Rose gak kabur aja, toh tempat Rose bukan di Glengarden tsb? Apakah Rose ini pengidap masokis? Walaupun atas dasar kemanusiaan yg tinggi, saya kurang bisa membenarkan tindakan Rose yg melepaskan para budak sedikit demi sedikit, krn itu bukan wewenang Rose. Rose bukan istri Bruce, dia hanya ipar yg numpang tinggal bagi saya. Mau gak kamu menerima tamu yg sok memberesi rumahmu pdhl tidak kau minta? Terlepas si Bruce ini luar biasa keji pd budak-budaknya, kemarahan Bruce masuk di nalar krn Rose selalu menjadi duri dalam daging di keluarganya.
Dan yg bikin gregetan juga sisi naif Rose, seolah dia gak (mau) paham sifat dan sikap Claire, kakaknya Rose ini. Saya juga depresi berat, koq gak ada empati sama sekali atas penderitaan adiknya? Bisa ya orang macam Claire ini hidup dlm gelembungnya sendiri seolah-olah sudah layak dan sepantasnya dia hidup enak-enak diatas penderitaan org lain. Dan gilanya, mereka benar-benar terkucil dan picik, gak mau tau apa yg terjadi di dunia luar sana. Walaupun kata org cinta itu buta, seandainya saya jadi Claire yg cinta setengah mampus pd suami macam Bruce, lebih baik saya usir saja adik saya drpd melihat Rose disiksa seperti budak begitu.
Sisi bagus dari novel ini cuma Duncan MacIain, hero yg akan melakukan apapun utk menolong heroine-nya, menembus blokade, menyelamatkan nyawa kekasihnya yg bodoh ini.
Ini buku terakhir dari seri MacIain ini, kesimpulan saya semua bukunya biasa-biasa saja, over glorifikasi heroine yg gak masuk akal tapi lumayan bagus di settingnya.
May 15, 2018
Somewhat entertaining but not very memorable offering from Ranney. American abolitionist heroine travels to Scotland, pretending to be a widow in order to sell cotton to the Scottish hero, a distant relative of her sister's cruel Southern slave-owner husband. She manages to persuade our Scot to run the blockade. He finds out she's not a widow and very much a had-been virgin after their inevitable joining. They confront the evil brother-in-law. I got frustrated with her stupidity in putting herself in obvious danger. I further raged over their insistence on making nice with a bunch of undeserving and unappreciative evil-by-association people. I cheered for the slave woman who finally gave the sadistic SOB villain the comeuppance that was his due. I was still fist-pumpingly celebrating his demise when the narrator garbled on about the MC's HEA.
May 19, 2016
4.5⭐
This is the second civil war era HR I have read and the first book by this author. I really enjoyed it, despite (maybe partly because of) all of the pain in the story as well as the unthinkable cruel behaviors of the villain. It is so difficult to imagine and yet historically accurate. This is a book that made me consider again some of the horrors in history and wonder about what may still happen in the world today.
I really liked the hero. He is a man of character, the antithesis to his distant American cousin. He was not a selfish spoiled adolescent; and as a man in his 30's, he exhibits love and humilty. He is the perfect match for the strong-willed leading lady. They both have kind hearts and genuinely care about people, but they both can be stubborn.
This is definitely worth a read. I will continue to be open to romances of this period and will definitely read another book by the author.
This is the second civil war era HR I have read and the first book by this author. I really enjoyed it, despite (maybe partly because of) all of the pain in the story as well as the unthinkable cruel behaviors of the villain. It is so difficult to imagine and yet historically accurate. This is a book that made me consider again some of the horrors in history and wonder about what may still happen in the world today.
I really liked the hero. He is a man of character, the antithesis to his distant American cousin. He was not a selfish spoiled adolescent; and as a man in his 30's, he exhibits love and humilty. He is the perfect match for the strong-willed leading lady. They both have kind hearts and genuinely care about people, but they both can be stubborn.
This is definitely worth a read. I will continue to be open to romances of this period and will definitely read another book by the author.
August 9, 2016
Good book, though a little slow at the start. Rose arrives in Glasgow at the end of her rope and the end of her resources. The Civil War has hit her family hard back in South Carolina, and she has come to see if the Scottish branch of the family will brave the blockade and purchase the last of their cotton. She's taken some liberties with the truth in order to ensure that she'll be listened to.
Duncan is a mill owner who is struggling to keep his business going. The war in America has made it difficult to get the cotton necessary to do so. The arrival of his cousin's beautiful young widow gets his attention, especially when she faints at his feet. Her proposition is interesting, but could it be even more dangerous than it appears?
There were sparks between Rose and Duncan from the very beginning. It was fun to see the effect that they had on each other. Duncan was constantly finding himself distracted by her beauty. He was so intrigued by her that he would come home for lunch every day and leave work earlier than usual, just to be able to spend time with her. Rose is just as intrigued by Duncan, and begins to regret her deception. Duncan had previously decided not to accept Bruce's offer to sell him the cotton. He didn't care for the impression he got of Bruce's character and lifestyle from the letters he received and was reluctant to support it. His conversations with Rose only reinforced that decision. Rose is desperate to get Duncan to buy their cotton. She needs that money to support the few people that are left living at the plantation. I loved his surprise at finding himself giving in to her pleas.
Rose has a mind and will of her own. When she sets out on a course of action there isn't much that can get her to change. As hard as Duncan tried to get her to stay in Scotland while he retrieved the cotton, he could not get her to agree. Nor would she agree to remain in Nassau. It was fun to see Duncan start to respect and expect Rose's willingness to express her opinions and stick to her decisions. Forced into close quarters on the voyage, it isn't long before their attraction gets the better of them. I enjoyed seeing him realize his feelings first, and express them in an incredibly romantic way for such a previously controlled man. It took Rose a little longer because of her fears, but she too is eloquent in her expressions of love.
Things take an unexpected turn when they arrive in South Carolina and discover that Bruce is back home from the war. He has lost a leg and his cruel nature has become even worse. I ached for Rose as she learned the heartbreaking truth about her sister's attitude toward her. Things got a bit intense when Bruce tried to exact his revenge upon Rose. Help came from an unexpected source, and Bruce ends up as the focus of someone else's revenge. That was very satisfying. Duncan and Rose also receive some unexpected good news that contributes to the success of their trip.
I enjoyed the epilogue and seeing where everyone is a few months later. I loved the teasing that was going on among all the family members. Their love and support is obvious, but there is also a great sense of fun now that they have all found their loves.
Duncan is a mill owner who is struggling to keep his business going. The war in America has made it difficult to get the cotton necessary to do so. The arrival of his cousin's beautiful young widow gets his attention, especially when she faints at his feet. Her proposition is interesting, but could it be even more dangerous than it appears?
There were sparks between Rose and Duncan from the very beginning. It was fun to see the effect that they had on each other. Duncan was constantly finding himself distracted by her beauty. He was so intrigued by her that he would come home for lunch every day and leave work earlier than usual, just to be able to spend time with her. Rose is just as intrigued by Duncan, and begins to regret her deception. Duncan had previously decided not to accept Bruce's offer to sell him the cotton. He didn't care for the impression he got of Bruce's character and lifestyle from the letters he received and was reluctant to support it. His conversations with Rose only reinforced that decision. Rose is desperate to get Duncan to buy their cotton. She needs that money to support the few people that are left living at the plantation. I loved his surprise at finding himself giving in to her pleas.
Rose has a mind and will of her own. When she sets out on a course of action there isn't much that can get her to change. As hard as Duncan tried to get her to stay in Scotland while he retrieved the cotton, he could not get her to agree. Nor would she agree to remain in Nassau. It was fun to see Duncan start to respect and expect Rose's willingness to express her opinions and stick to her decisions. Forced into close quarters on the voyage, it isn't long before their attraction gets the better of them. I enjoyed seeing him realize his feelings first, and express them in an incredibly romantic way for such a previously controlled man. It took Rose a little longer because of her fears, but she too is eloquent in her expressions of love.
Things take an unexpected turn when they arrive in South Carolina and discover that Bruce is back home from the war. He has lost a leg and his cruel nature has become even worse. I ached for Rose as she learned the heartbreaking truth about her sister's attitude toward her. Things got a bit intense when Bruce tried to exact his revenge upon Rose. Help came from an unexpected source, and Bruce ends up as the focus of someone else's revenge. That was very satisfying. Duncan and Rose also receive some unexpected good news that contributes to the success of their trip.
I enjoyed the epilogue and seeing where everyone is a few months later. I loved the teasing that was going on among all the family members. Their love and support is obvious, but there is also a great sense of fun now that they have all found their loves.
February 25, 2016
This romance takes place on more than one continent. The civil unrest in America begins this journey for Rose. She has to under go some minor deceptions to help the one person in the world she loves. She just never imagined that it would lead to her true hearts desire, Duncan MacIain.
Duncan was a man that valued family and work. He had a large responsibility to carry with family and his business. He just did not expect for it to encompass the widow of his cousin in just this way. Once he learns of all the issue going on in America, he feels the need to make sure that things do not go wrong. He embarks on a business saving, family saving quest through Scotland and then on to America. Along the way he finds what has been missing from his life but not expected with this woman, Rose.
**This ARC was provided via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.**
More @ http://mileythebookjunkie.blogspot.co...
Duncan was a man that valued family and work. He had a large responsibility to carry with family and his business. He just did not expect for it to encompass the widow of his cousin in just this way. Once he learns of all the issue going on in America, he feels the need to make sure that things do not go wrong. He embarks on a business saving, family saving quest through Scotland and then on to America. Along the way he finds what has been missing from his life but not expected with this woman, Rose.
**This ARC was provided via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.**
More @ http://mileythebookjunkie.blogspot.co...
June 14, 2016
The story in general has a lot of potential, and could be really good if not for the pace. There's a lot of back story, and inner monologue, and unnecessary description that's both repetitive and boring. Cut all that out and get to the meat of the tale and you'd have a pretty darned good book.
March 7, 2016
This was my first experience of a Karen Ranney novel and to begin with I was pleasantly surprised, especially with the high standard of the writing. An American in Scotland is the third in Ms. Ranney’s MacIain series and although I have not read either of the first two (In Your Wildest Scottish Dreams and Scotsman of My Dreams), I had no trouble sorting out the characters, the various familial connections or keeping track of the story line.
Rose Sullivan arrives in Glasgow at the home of Duncan MacIain. Dressed in mourning black, exhausted, broke and faint with hunger, she is admitted to the house and promptly collapses. On searching her reticule for evidence of her identity and finding documentation, the MacIains jump to the conclusion – fairly reasonably, given her black clothing and American accent – that she is the widow of their American cousin Bruce MacIain and is then made unconditionally welcome by the warm and friendly family. Although Rose doesn’t actually utter the words, she is guilty of lying by omission and knows it. Her long and dangerous trek across the Atlantic was a desperate, last ditch attempt to save her sister and family from starvation in South Carolina. Arrogant, cruel, Bruce MacIain is away from home fighting in the American Civil War and there is a shedload of his cotton going begging. Rose has taken it upon herself to brave the blockade in US waters in order to travel to Glasgow to persuade Duncan, to buy the cotton for use in his mill, and this is one of the reasons she cannot reveal her ‘lie’ – it’s not actually hers to sell. The whole story centres around this cotton and Rose’s determination to sell it to feed her family.
The author has a pleasing style and writes succinctly and knowledgeably. However, for the first third or so of the book, I was hard pressed to believe I was actually reading an historical romance as claimed. I’m talking more about a lack of connection or sensuality rather than any bedroom action, because Ms. Ranney doesn’t really deliver when it comes to an actual romance in this book. The connection between Rose and Duncan lacks warmth and sensuality – we are told that they are attracted to each other but I didn’t feel it. Although Duncan is a decent, honourable, salt-of-the-earth kind of man, he isn’t someone with a strong enough presence to remain with me; I couldn’t actually ‘see’ him. And then there’s proud, defiant, capable Rose – who has been so badly treated that it was difficult to understand why, when faced with the opposition and sheer ingratitude of her family, she would risk her life so often to help them! And her treatment at the hands of Bruce is mentioned so many times that it became irritating. The pair of them are almost too good to be true.
On the positive side, Karen Ranney paints a very evocative and moving picture of life under the tyrannical rule of the despotic Bruce MacIain and the appalling atrocities suffered by the slaves in those times. She obviously has extensive knowledge and I found her impeccably researched historical content and its delivery very well done which made for compelling reading. But this is billed as an historical romance, and while things do improve towards the end I still didn’t ‘feel the love’ and although Rose and Duncan do get their HEA, it all feels rushed and just a bit too neatly tied off.
While I enjoyed the skill with which An American in Scotlandis written and found the historical detail interesting, the romance is disappointing, and this led to my finishing the book feeling somewhat cheated. If you’ve read the other books in the series you might want to read this for completeness, although if you’re looking for an emotionally satisfying romance, you won’t find it here.
Rose Sullivan arrives in Glasgow at the home of Duncan MacIain. Dressed in mourning black, exhausted, broke and faint with hunger, she is admitted to the house and promptly collapses. On searching her reticule for evidence of her identity and finding documentation, the MacIains jump to the conclusion – fairly reasonably, given her black clothing and American accent – that she is the widow of their American cousin Bruce MacIain and is then made unconditionally welcome by the warm and friendly family. Although Rose doesn’t actually utter the words, she is guilty of lying by omission and knows it. Her long and dangerous trek across the Atlantic was a desperate, last ditch attempt to save her sister and family from starvation in South Carolina. Arrogant, cruel, Bruce MacIain is away from home fighting in the American Civil War and there is a shedload of his cotton going begging. Rose has taken it upon herself to brave the blockade in US waters in order to travel to Glasgow to persuade Duncan, to buy the cotton for use in his mill, and this is one of the reasons she cannot reveal her ‘lie’ – it’s not actually hers to sell. The whole story centres around this cotton and Rose’s determination to sell it to feed her family.
The author has a pleasing style and writes succinctly and knowledgeably. However, for the first third or so of the book, I was hard pressed to believe I was actually reading an historical romance as claimed. I’m talking more about a lack of connection or sensuality rather than any bedroom action, because Ms. Ranney doesn’t really deliver when it comes to an actual romance in this book. The connection between Rose and Duncan lacks warmth and sensuality – we are told that they are attracted to each other but I didn’t feel it. Although Duncan is a decent, honourable, salt-of-the-earth kind of man, he isn’t someone with a strong enough presence to remain with me; I couldn’t actually ‘see’ him. And then there’s proud, defiant, capable Rose – who has been so badly treated that it was difficult to understand why, when faced with the opposition and sheer ingratitude of her family, she would risk her life so often to help them! And her treatment at the hands of Bruce is mentioned so many times that it became irritating. The pair of them are almost too good to be true.
On the positive side, Karen Ranney paints a very evocative and moving picture of life under the tyrannical rule of the despotic Bruce MacIain and the appalling atrocities suffered by the slaves in those times. She obviously has extensive knowledge and I found her impeccably researched historical content and its delivery very well done which made for compelling reading. But this is billed as an historical romance, and while things do improve towards the end I still didn’t ‘feel the love’ and although Rose and Duncan do get their HEA, it all feels rushed and just a bit too neatly tied off.
While I enjoyed the skill with which An American in Scotlandis written and found the historical detail interesting, the romance is disappointing, and this led to my finishing the book feeling somewhat cheated. If you’ve read the other books in the series you might want to read this for completeness, although if you’re looking for an emotionally satisfying romance, you won’t find it here.
November 6, 2016
Reviewed @ Confessions From Romaholics
Review copy kindly provided by the publisher in exchange for a honest review
An American in Scotland is the third book in the MacIain series and this time the focus is on the American branch of the family in a round about way featuring the sister in law of one of the American MacIains, Rose . Rose is on a desperate mission trying to worm her way in to the Scottish side of the family to make a trade to help her family despite her problems. She may be from the North but now she is stuck in the South and things are tough down there. The South Carolina Plantation is on the last legs , desperately needing money to survive, however her sister and her family are stubborn not willing to accept any help .
Rose is desperate and even though she isn’t an Maclain she is going to use any means necessary and posing one is to help her desperate cause is the least she got to do . She will and she heads to the Scottish MacIains in the hopes of doing so and instead finds herself on a whole different journey that she least expects.
Whilst this book is a standalone, it once set once again in the backdrop of civil war however we are slightly further down the track from the previous book and we return to the Scottish MacIains give to Duncan MacIain a happily ever after.
Duncan is a gentleman and takes Rose at his world. He is a businessman at first and the opportunity is one that he can’t afford to miss. It means profit for his family and the only thing In his way is the war and the problems associated with it. However whilst the whole trade the basis of their relationship. Their instant attraction soon means their personal relationship takes centre stage as they battle through conflict and more trying to get this trade done.
I enjoyed the previous book in the series and love the idea of this as we are thrown right into the action with this book. Rasmey doesn’t hold back in the latest book in the series. There are spies, intrigue and running as we travel not to one but three countries as Rose and Duncan arrange this trade and in the mean whilst fallen in love. They are well suited to each other it is obvious from the start so I loved that Ramsey thrown them into the situations that they were in as they need a challenge or two.
The result is another wonderful book from Rasmey, typical of her prose and another excellent instalment in the series. If you love historical novels, you don’t want to miss this one.
4 couples
For more of my reviews, visit Confessions From Romaholics.And drop by the blog's Facebook page
Review copy kindly provided by the publisher in exchange for a honest review
An American in Scotland is the third book in the MacIain series and this time the focus is on the American branch of the family in a round about way featuring the sister in law of one of the American MacIains, Rose . Rose is on a desperate mission trying to worm her way in to the Scottish side of the family to make a trade to help her family despite her problems. She may be from the North but now she is stuck in the South and things are tough down there. The South Carolina Plantation is on the last legs , desperately needing money to survive, however her sister and her family are stubborn not willing to accept any help .
Rose is desperate and even though she isn’t an Maclain she is going to use any means necessary and posing one is to help her desperate cause is the least she got to do . She will and she heads to the Scottish MacIains in the hopes of doing so and instead finds herself on a whole different journey that she least expects.
Whilst this book is a standalone, it once set once again in the backdrop of civil war however we are slightly further down the track from the previous book and we return to the Scottish MacIains give to Duncan MacIain a happily ever after.
Duncan is a gentleman and takes Rose at his world. He is a businessman at first and the opportunity is one that he can’t afford to miss. It means profit for his family and the only thing In his way is the war and the problems associated with it. However whilst the whole trade the basis of their relationship. Their instant attraction soon means their personal relationship takes centre stage as they battle through conflict and more trying to get this trade done.
I enjoyed the previous book in the series and love the idea of this as we are thrown right into the action with this book. Rasmey doesn’t hold back in the latest book in the series. There are spies, intrigue and running as we travel not to one but three countries as Rose and Duncan arrange this trade and in the mean whilst fallen in love. They are well suited to each other it is obvious from the start so I loved that Ramsey thrown them into the situations that they were in as they need a challenge or two.
The result is another wonderful book from Rasmey, typical of her prose and another excellent instalment in the series. If you love historical novels, you don’t want to miss this one.
4 couples
For more of my reviews, visit Confessions From Romaholics.And drop by the blog's Facebook page
May 26, 2016
I have to say that I waited a while before I read this book because I knew that it dealt with slavery and the Civil War. I'm not against reading about either of those things, but I was afraid that either the hero or heroine (or both) would end up in one of those awful prison camps or something. I definitely didn't want to read that part. Luckily, that didn't happen and Karen Ranney handled it pretty well, but you could tell she wouldn't be writing about any redeeming qualities of any southerner. I think she portrayed this particular plantation owner in a manner that was probably pretty accurate for some of them and it did fit her story model for him to be that way. I think the villain in this story was just a cruel person and would have been that way in any setting -- had he been a factory owner, he would have abused his employees, etc. Just look at how he treated Rose!
I liked both the hero and heroine of this tale. Both were strong, dedicated and very believable. There wasn't a lot of the 'he can't love me because . . . ', etc. in this book. It was fast paced and thoroughly interesting. It was really hard to put it down because you wanted to see what happened next.
Excellent book! While it is part of a series, you can read it as a stand-alone -- but -- why would you want to when the other books are so very good!
I liked both the hero and heroine of this tale. Both were strong, dedicated and very believable. There wasn't a lot of the 'he can't love me because . . . ', etc. in this book. It was fast paced and thoroughly interesting. It was really hard to put it down because you wanted to see what happened next.
Excellent book! While it is part of a series, you can read it as a stand-alone -- but -- why would you want to when the other books are so very good!
March 2, 2016
#3 in "The Maciain" series, but can be read as a stand alone. This is Rose and Duncan' story, and a story that crosses an Ocean, from Scotland to the Americas during the Civil War. Filled with desperation, risk, deceit, danger, passion, slavery, mystery, a bit of suspense, sea adventure, and the premise of love. A bit slow in the beginning but picks up nicely.
More Historical Fiction than Historical Romance. Ms. Raney has done lots of research into Civil War issues, and the consequences of war, which shows in the descriptions, the struggles, the turmoil, and the bitterness she has shown in some of her characterizations and the storyline.
Can Rose and Duncan found HEA after so much turmoil? Fans of Historical Fiction, Civil war issues, with some romance, mystery and suspense blended into the mixture, will enjoy this story. An enjoyable read!
*Received for an honest review from the publisher via Edelweiss*
Rating: 4
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
More Historical Fiction than Historical Romance. Ms. Raney has done lots of research into Civil War issues, and the consequences of war, which shows in the descriptions, the struggles, the turmoil, and the bitterness she has shown in some of her characterizations and the storyline.
Can Rose and Duncan found HEA after so much turmoil? Fans of Historical Fiction, Civil war issues, with some romance, mystery and suspense blended into the mixture, will enjoy this story. An enjoyable read!
*Received for an honest review from the publisher via Edelweiss*
Rating: 4
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
February 24, 2016
This is another great book by Karen Ranney. This is the link to my review in Fresh Fiction:
http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id...
http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id...
February 9, 2023
3.5 out of 5
March 11, 2016
This is the third in a series about the MacIain’s of Scotland. I love this setting, the highlands of Scotland and enjoy reading about these men and women who are passionate about life. Ms. Ranney writes a compelling novel of romance amidst the despair and dangers of the times. I will have to say that this one took me by surprise, not only do we spend time in Scotland, but also in Nassau and South Carolina during the Civil War, a setting I have not read in several years.
Rose has traveled a long way on her mission to sell her cotton, from the war ravaged southern states of America to Scotland to visit and persuade Duncan MacIain, cousin to her brother-in-law Bruce, to buy it. She is desperate to help those still living on the plantation, as the war has devastated the area, and because she is traveling alone, she lets the Scottish MacIain’s believe she is the widow of Bruce, something she will regret as she gets to know Duncan more.
Duncan MacIain owns a mill near Glasgow, but because of the war and subsequent blockades in America, he has had trouble keeping the mill working. He is surprised when he gets a visit from an American relative, especially when it is a woman selling cotton, but treats her like family listening to what she has to say. When they strike a deal he is reluctant to take her with him but she insists and they set sail for an adventure that will change their lives forever.
This was a switch for me; it has been several years since I have read a book set in the Civil War era. I am not sure if I got tired of them or if there are just less written, but Ms. Ranney snuck this one in on me and I was a bit unprepared for the visit back to that time frame, but she engaged me with the story and I enjoyed the ride.
Rose is a determined young woman; she wants to help those she loves, those she left behind. For the most part the plantation is deserted, most left after Bruce went to war, but there are still some older slaves and her sister still living there. She tried to help so many over the two years she lived there, but Bruce would just punish her for her good deeds, which just made her want to help them even more. I like her tenacity and bravery.
Duncan is all you would want in a hero, a nice guy that exudes sexiness. He is immediately attracted to Rose, believing she is a widow, he often flirts; especially when he finds out she did not like her husband, something they had in common. As they travel to America they become very close and when he finds out the truth in Nassau, he is angry, but already in love and is glad she is not bound to Bruce, who is in fact still alive but wounded. When they arrive in Charleston things get dicey as Bruce is not a happy man and believes everything wrong with his Plantation is Rose’s fault, taking it out on her, she must watch her back.
The pace works well as we start in Scotland and travel to America; along the way we are treated to adventures and dangers. I enjoyed the secondary characters we meet that added substance to the story such as Maisie who still “works” at the plantation (I enjoyed her outcome), and a woman they meet in Nassau who has ties to Scotland (not sure if this encounter will have significance for a future book). I also enjoyed Duncan’s relatives, his mother and sister were fun and I love the dynamics of their family, very loving and close. A truly entertaining story and although it is book three you can easily read this as a standalone, enjoy!
Review at: Ramblings from a Chaotic Mind
Copy from the publisher for an honest review
Rose has traveled a long way on her mission to sell her cotton, from the war ravaged southern states of America to Scotland to visit and persuade Duncan MacIain, cousin to her brother-in-law Bruce, to buy it. She is desperate to help those still living on the plantation, as the war has devastated the area, and because she is traveling alone, she lets the Scottish MacIain’s believe she is the widow of Bruce, something she will regret as she gets to know Duncan more.
Duncan MacIain owns a mill near Glasgow, but because of the war and subsequent blockades in America, he has had trouble keeping the mill working. He is surprised when he gets a visit from an American relative, especially when it is a woman selling cotton, but treats her like family listening to what she has to say. When they strike a deal he is reluctant to take her with him but she insists and they set sail for an adventure that will change their lives forever.
This was a switch for me; it has been several years since I have read a book set in the Civil War era. I am not sure if I got tired of them or if there are just less written, but Ms. Ranney snuck this one in on me and I was a bit unprepared for the visit back to that time frame, but she engaged me with the story and I enjoyed the ride.
Rose is a determined young woman; she wants to help those she loves, those she left behind. For the most part the plantation is deserted, most left after Bruce went to war, but there are still some older slaves and her sister still living there. She tried to help so many over the two years she lived there, but Bruce would just punish her for her good deeds, which just made her want to help them even more. I like her tenacity and bravery.
Duncan is all you would want in a hero, a nice guy that exudes sexiness. He is immediately attracted to Rose, believing she is a widow, he often flirts; especially when he finds out she did not like her husband, something they had in common. As they travel to America they become very close and when he finds out the truth in Nassau, he is angry, but already in love and is glad she is not bound to Bruce, who is in fact still alive but wounded. When they arrive in Charleston things get dicey as Bruce is not a happy man and believes everything wrong with his Plantation is Rose’s fault, taking it out on her, she must watch her back.
The pace works well as we start in Scotland and travel to America; along the way we are treated to adventures and dangers. I enjoyed the secondary characters we meet that added substance to the story such as Maisie who still “works” at the plantation (I enjoyed her outcome), and a woman they meet in Nassau who has ties to Scotland (not sure if this encounter will have significance for a future book). I also enjoyed Duncan’s relatives, his mother and sister were fun and I love the dynamics of their family, very loving and close. A truly entertaining story and although it is book three you can easily read this as a standalone, enjoy!
Review at: Ramblings from a Chaotic Mind
Copy from the publisher for an honest review
March 20, 2016
4.5 Stars As reviewed at Roses Are Blue: http://wp.me/p3QRh4-l9
Rose O’Sullivan has somehow managed to scrape together enough funds to allow her to travel to Scotland, in the hopes of convincing Duncan MacIain to purchase a warehouse full of cotton for his mill. The cotton was grown on her brother-in-law’s land in South Carolina, and has no value unless it’s sold. Rose, her sister, Claire, and the rest of the household are near to starving, while Bruce (Claire’s husband) has gone off to fight in the Civil War. Bruce is Duncan’s cousin, which makes Rose even more hopeful that he will buy the cotton. Rose, in fact, has no legal authority to sell the cotton, but her desperation and desire to save her family have driven her to take this action. After the long sea journey, and a decided lack of food, Rose arrives in Scotland, weak and weary. As she begins to tell her story to the MacIain family, everyone assumes that Bruce is dead, and that she’s his widow. Realizing that she has a better chance of success with this story, Rose doesn’t correct their assumption, but lets it go on.
Duncan has been worried about his mill. Because of the American Civil War, he doesn’t have the cotton he needs to be fully productive. In fact, he contacted his American cousin, Bruce, about buying cotton from him, but never got a positive response. This opportunity sounds like the answer to his prayers, though there will be danger in travelling to America and avoiding the blockade, and then returning with the cotton. He decides to take the chance, and makes arrangements for the journey. Truth be told, the beautiful Rose has intrigued him as no other woman ever has.
As Duncan and Rose journey back to America, their close proximity on the ship allows them to get to know each other very well, and become even more attracted to each other than they already are. Duncan tries to remain honorable, thinking Rose is his cousin’s widow, but he is soon envisioning a future with Rose in it. Rose is equally enamored, for the first time in her life, yet she’s under this cloud of deception, and has her family in America to care for.
As more details of the story unfold, we get to see what an amazing person Rose truly is, and what she has endured. Her strength of character is nothing short of amazing, and her compassion and caring seem limitless. I was in awe of her, while at the same time, wanting to tell her to please use her head as well as her heart. The horrors and degradation she endured at the hands of the villain of this story are almost beyond belief. Yet, she continues to rebound and carry on. Duncan is a perfect match for her, with his honor and strength. He believes in her, and comes to her rescue when she needs him, despite how circumstances made things appear.
Karen Ranney totally wowed me with this story, which, while being a fantastic romance, also delved into a shameful and painful part of American history. The portrayal of people who had no qualms about “owning” other people, and treating them as less than human was eye-opening and heartbreaking. Imagine thinking, “That’s just the way it is.” There is a lot of darkness in AN AMERICAN IN SCOTLAND, but there is also hope, love, and a very well deserved happy ever after for two very deserving lovers. This extremely well written book receives my high recommendation and will go on my favorites list for this year.
Rose O’Sullivan has somehow managed to scrape together enough funds to allow her to travel to Scotland, in the hopes of convincing Duncan MacIain to purchase a warehouse full of cotton for his mill. The cotton was grown on her brother-in-law’s land in South Carolina, and has no value unless it’s sold. Rose, her sister, Claire, and the rest of the household are near to starving, while Bruce (Claire’s husband) has gone off to fight in the Civil War. Bruce is Duncan’s cousin, which makes Rose even more hopeful that he will buy the cotton. Rose, in fact, has no legal authority to sell the cotton, but her desperation and desire to save her family have driven her to take this action. After the long sea journey, and a decided lack of food, Rose arrives in Scotland, weak and weary. As she begins to tell her story to the MacIain family, everyone assumes that Bruce is dead, and that she’s his widow. Realizing that she has a better chance of success with this story, Rose doesn’t correct their assumption, but lets it go on.
Duncan has been worried about his mill. Because of the American Civil War, he doesn’t have the cotton he needs to be fully productive. In fact, he contacted his American cousin, Bruce, about buying cotton from him, but never got a positive response. This opportunity sounds like the answer to his prayers, though there will be danger in travelling to America and avoiding the blockade, and then returning with the cotton. He decides to take the chance, and makes arrangements for the journey. Truth be told, the beautiful Rose has intrigued him as no other woman ever has.
As Duncan and Rose journey back to America, their close proximity on the ship allows them to get to know each other very well, and become even more attracted to each other than they already are. Duncan tries to remain honorable, thinking Rose is his cousin’s widow, but he is soon envisioning a future with Rose in it. Rose is equally enamored, for the first time in her life, yet she’s under this cloud of deception, and has her family in America to care for.
As more details of the story unfold, we get to see what an amazing person Rose truly is, and what she has endured. Her strength of character is nothing short of amazing, and her compassion and caring seem limitless. I was in awe of her, while at the same time, wanting to tell her to please use her head as well as her heart. The horrors and degradation she endured at the hands of the villain of this story are almost beyond belief. Yet, she continues to rebound and carry on. Duncan is a perfect match for her, with his honor and strength. He believes in her, and comes to her rescue when she needs him, despite how circumstances made things appear.
Karen Ranney totally wowed me with this story, which, while being a fantastic romance, also delved into a shameful and painful part of American history. The portrayal of people who had no qualms about “owning” other people, and treating them as less than human was eye-opening and heartbreaking. Imagine thinking, “That’s just the way it is.” There is a lot of darkness in AN AMERICAN IN SCOTLAND, but there is also hope, love, and a very well deserved happy ever after for two very deserving lovers. This extremely well written book receives my high recommendation and will go on my favorites list for this year.
February 2, 2016
I was so glad to get a hold of this fantastic story of the MacIain's which is book #3 in the series. It can be read as a stand alone though. The characters are developed with thoughts and feelings of their own. I really liked Rose MacIain who pretended to be the widow in the direst of circumstances. She meets Duncan MacIain who is the cousin of her late husband. Rose and Duncan have an immediate attraction that leads to a very dangerous situation. You can feel the simmering passion that has Rose regretting her masquerade. They are very well suited to each other but how can love survive with deception on Rose's side.
Duncan finally has met his match with one beautiful and spirited woman who he wants in his bed. He can think of only her, but how can he trust her with secrets in her background. These two will have to surrender their pride and work together to find their happy ever after.
I received this ARC title from Edelwiess in which I gave an honest review.
Duncan finally has met his match with one beautiful and spirited woman who he wants in his bed. He can think of only her, but how can he trust her with secrets in her background. These two will have to surrender their pride and work together to find their happy ever after.
I received this ARC title from Edelwiess in which I gave an honest review.
February 28, 2016
I liked the premise, but I couldn't feel the connection between the characters. Also, I found it a little boring. I don't know if this had to due with the author's writing style or the plot. It was disappointing to say the least.
September 4, 2016
Light, escapist romance fiction, should probably steer clear of the deeply problematic and traumatic impacts of slavery, especially if it is just used to drive a white heroine's romantic aspirations forward.
February 23, 2020
Oh no! I bought a whole series of Ranney novels, thinking that after the first I read she couldn't write a grocery list I wouldn't love. I cannot read further than about page 70. The heroine is flat, the hero is flat, and the plot is unconvincing. The heroine hates her life and just about everyone in Charleston, and yet she wants to go back? She keeps saying how she wishes she could stay in Scotland. Stay in Scotland!!!
The novel raises two general questions.
First, is there a way to reference past novels in the series without it being tiresome? I haven't found it to work successfully once in romance novels. Even if I've read the previous novels, I don't necessarily remember who the people are. I think that's only partially due to my faulty memory, and partially due to the cliched nature of romance novels. There's something uncomfortable about being in a novel with a hero and heroine and looking at the world through their eyes, and then seeing them in another novel but in the same world, and not sharing that sense of perspective, of closeness, of caring. (Referring to previous novels in a series almost works in children's books, e.g., The Wizard of Oz series, in which the adventurers eventually end up at the Emerald City, and there's a reunion of the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, etc. It works better because it's a joyous reunion rather than a sales pitch, and because although the Cowardly Lion and the Hungry Tiger are similar big cats, they're more individually memorable than the dukes and earls of the romance dramatic personae.)
Second, I had to put the book down because the author had decided to GO to Charleston during the Civil War and attempt to bring in the point of view of an elderly black slave. Should a romance novel take on dark and difficult topics? (I mean, other than Gone with the Wind, which is currently in the news again as a polarizing story.) I can see the arguments for and against. The English Civil War is not the American Civil War. One is trickier to do "right". I generally believe that any topic can be taken on by any kind of novel. Why not? But it has to be done well. After 70 pages of not being able to do basic romance writing well, I didn't have faith that the author could handle the already difficult juxtaposition of romance and slavery.
The novel raises two general questions.
First, is there a way to reference past novels in the series without it being tiresome? I haven't found it to work successfully once in romance novels. Even if I've read the previous novels, I don't necessarily remember who the people are. I think that's only partially due to my faulty memory, and partially due to the cliched nature of romance novels. There's something uncomfortable about being in a novel with a hero and heroine and looking at the world through their eyes, and then seeing them in another novel but in the same world, and not sharing that sense of perspective, of closeness, of caring. (Referring to previous novels in a series almost works in children's books, e.g., The Wizard of Oz series, in which the adventurers eventually end up at the Emerald City, and there's a reunion of the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, etc. It works better because it's a joyous reunion rather than a sales pitch, and because although the Cowardly Lion and the Hungry Tiger are similar big cats, they're more individually memorable than the dukes and earls of the romance dramatic personae.)
Second, I had to put the book down because the author had decided to GO to Charleston during the Civil War and attempt to bring in the point of view of an elderly black slave. Should a romance novel take on dark and difficult topics? (I mean, other than Gone with the Wind, which is currently in the news again as a polarizing story.) I can see the arguments for and against. The English Civil War is not the American Civil War. One is trickier to do "right". I generally believe that any topic can be taken on by any kind of novel. Why not? But it has to be done well. After 70 pages of not being able to do basic romance writing well, I didn't have faith that the author could handle the already difficult juxtaposition of romance and slavery.
February 26, 2022
Rose shows up in Scotland to find a buyer for her cotton. Duncan doesn't know what to do with her free spirit. Rose comes from a plantation in the South during the American Civil War. This book really tried to address the issue of slavery. However, it was from a very white perspective. I am reading a different book which is really addressing the issues and I had read Legendborn which was an amazing fantasy which also addressed some of the issues of slavery. I do want to read the previous books because they are not about the American Civil War but Scotland which is what I want.
October 24, 2021
This was good. The historical background played a very important role here. It was so Hard to read about the tortures and the punishments. Not being an US citizen myself, I am not really versed on the civil war, it was a good love story but I found it to be painful sometimes. I think that's what makes this book so compelling, the hability to make you feel the pain and suffering, the tenderness, the little Joy when Maise steps up, and every little thing that Karyn describes.
November 3, 2017
This book had a descriptive and quaint storyline but that actually had some substance. Was a bit uneventful for my taste and I didn't necessarily connect personally with the characters. Interestingly political and reminiscent of our current day politics. A bit typical but was nice to listen to on YouTube.
October 27, 2019
This book was well-written, I just didn’t enjoy reading it. Anyone with a heart wouldn’t.
The romance helped elevate the story, but everything about Glengardens was evil save Maisie & Old Betsy.
I also enjoyed the brief interlude in Scotland, but it was too brief to balance the good with the bad.
The romance helped elevate the story, but everything about Glengardens was evil save Maisie & Old Betsy.
I also enjoyed the brief interlude in Scotland, but it was too brief to balance the good with the bad.
December 2, 2017
This was actually really lovely. I wasn't expecting to enjoy the blending of genres (civil war, which I usually don't like, and highland, which I do) but the characters and their emotional journey made this a wonderful read.
July 9, 2019
A cringe worthy cover design and a cliche title but the contact is decent. The cover art definitely does it represent the contents of the book. It’s almost more a historical fiction novel with a romance as one of the main plots.
June 26, 2017
quite good for the genre of cheesy romance :) Check it out!
January 25, 2018
Slow to start but better than I thought it would be.
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