Helpful Score: 10
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.
Rather like my ex.
Helpful Score: 7
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.
Helpful Score: 5
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.
Helpful Score: 4
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.
Helpful Score: 2
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.
LOVED IT!!!! One of the best books I've read this year. Tortured hero...spunky yet vulnerable heroine....great mystery...what's not to love?!
This book was a little weird, but interesting, and it was funny at times. Definitely good reading.
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.
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.
