This started out just great and was a real page turner but the last quarter of the book was so disappointing! I was looking forward to the couple facing her husband's demons together and working through the mystery. Instead, everything suddenly shifts focus and comes to a simplistic, tidy conclusion. I was left feeling disappointed, mystified, and a bit miffed that what should have been quite satisfying wasn't.

Rather like my ex.

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I was very pleased with this book, mostly because her last two weren't very good, and I love some of her older stuff. I saw flashes of her former brilliance in this one though. I can't say that it's perfect however. The ending is probably a little contrived, but the love scenes are simply to die for. It has a very gothic feel to it too, which was sort of a nice change of pace from most of the newer historicals out lately, and I loved the romance - VERY steamy & sweet. Overall, I'd grade it at about an A-, and it would be A+ if the ending hadn't seemed a little rushed & just a bit contrived. Other than that, I highly recommend it. I just hope this one means Karen Ranney is back to her old standard. I was getting a little concerned after Autumn in Scotland and The Scottish Companion:P Glad to say, this one was a vast improvement.

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The book was engaging at first but, once the characters are married it is a sloooow read. I read it just to finish it. Honestly, this was a book I could have put down and never picked up again to finish it but I am a bit OCD about finishing a book I've started. I know other readers loved the book maybe it's because I've never read a Karen Ranney book before and am not used to her style.

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Getting to know the hero and heroine was most enjoyable. The sex was steamy but subtle. Unfortunately, it took a while for them to find out what was happening. But that made the ending much more fun. I, for one, did not guess the real culprit. I will definitely read more of Karen Ranney.

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Twist and turns! Not a Highland romance that you would expect from the cover. I could not put it down. Be sure and read this one.

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I'm generally a fan of Ranney's work and this book did not disappoint. She avoids the usual pratfalls of using a tortured hero to be rakish and cold-hearted, so that the development of the h/h relationship seems genuine. The mystery involved in the story is intriguing and some of the flashbacks Marshall has to deal with are genuinely gruesome, a real testament to Ranney's ability as a writer.

I found some of the secondary/mystery plot a little slow, but the heroic aunt Ranney uses is simply brilliant, I almost wish she had her own story.

Bottom line, a quick, slightly steamy and intriguing read. Don't miss out.

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