Author: Karen Ranney

Guest Review: To Bed the Bride by Karen Ranney

Posted January 29, 2020 by Tracy in Reviews | 0 Comments

Guest Review: To Bed the Bride by Karen RanneyReviewer: Tracy
To Bed the Bride by Karen Ranney
Series: All for Love #3
Publisher: Avon
Publication Date: November 26, 2019
Format: ARC
Source: Edelweiss
Point-of-View: Third
Genres: Historical Romance
Pages: 384
Add It: Goodreads
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four-stars
Series Rating: four-stars

Politics has introduced MP Logan McKnight to many fascinating people, but the lady he encounters on the lands bordering his ancestral Scottish home outshines them all. Eleanor Craig of Hearthmere seats a Thoroughbred like a queen, knows as much about world events as any of his colleagues—and is engaged to one of the worst men Logan knows. She also seems lonely, so Logan brings her a friend. Thus should their acquaintance end, yet it’s only just begun.

The puppy Logan delivers is every bit as irresistible as the man himself. How could this stranger sense the isolation Eleanor suffers among her scheming, snobbish extended family and fiancé who control her life? It’s even worse in London—until she begins meeting Logan secretly in a secluded park. Their passionate connection frees Eleanor, body and soul. But discovery threatens disgrace—or worse.

Eleanor‘s father dies and leaves her care to her uncle specifies that her uncle and his family must live at hearthmere, her lands in Scotland, until she reaches her majority. When she does reach her majority, then it’s up to her whether her uncle and his family shall continue to live there. Unfortunately Eleanor‘s uncle dies and she is then taken care of by her aunt who hates Scotland and Hearthmere so she immediately decamps to London with her family and Eleanor.

Once they get to London the aunt never wants Eleanor to return to Scotland to check her property, it’s the solicitor that finally talks her aunt into letting her go for one month a year. When the story begins she’s making her yearly trip but this time she’s only allowed two weeks.

While she’s out riding one day she comes across a shepherd and his sheep. The shepherd is quite handsome. Eleanor shows that she is afraid of the sheep dogs and the shepherd can’t understand it. He then brings her a puppy as he thinks it’s ridiculous that anyone would be afraid of dogs. When she tries to return the dog she finds an older man who says he’s the only shepherd for that property. Eleanor is greatly confused and ends up keeping the puppy.

When Eleanor returns to London the family hates the puppy, but she has come to love it and it’s her best friend.

Eleanor meets the “shepherd” again in London, finding out he’s Logan McKnight, an possible future MP. He arrives at Eleanor’s house hoping to sway Eleanor’s step-uncle and her fiancé. That doesn’t go as planned but he does arrange to meet Eleanor.

The pair begin a lovely friendship but they both know it’s wrong. Eleanor is having doubts about her fiancé (he’s a completely self-centered ass) but her family is so happy about the match she’s scared to break it off. She knows she’s falling for Logan so she just doesn’t know what to do.

This was a friends to lovers story and was well done. I really liked Eleanor and Logan together and the slow burn worked for me.

There was a couple of things that happened in the story that I didn’t care for. One was View Spoiler ». That’s a big no in my book, even if Michael was a douche. The second was the way her family treats her in order to get her to agree to stay with Michael. I won’t go into detail but they almost kill her. IDK, something about this rang false. It absolutely could have happened, but it seemed a bit extreme. I loved the ending of the book but wish I could have seen Eleanor’s snooty family’s faces when they saw her again. (That’s obviously my vindictive side showing through.😂)

Overall I thought this was a great story and definitely recommend it.

Rating: 4 out of 5

All for Love

four-stars


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What Are You Reading? (+ Karen Ranney Giveaway)

Posted August 16, 2019 by Holly in Features, Giveaways | 9 Comments

Casee: This has been an ah-maze-ing reading week for me. TBH, I don’t know what is going on.

I’m currently reading Blood Truth by J.R. Ward. This is a book in her Black Dagger Legacy series. They are the recruits that are in training. I really enjoy this series. I haven’t gotten that far into it, but what I have read I really liked.

I’m still glomming Meghan March on audio. I listened to four of her books this week. I’m now listening to Real Sexy by Meghan March which is the second book in her Real Dirty Duet. I’m not liking this Duet as much as the others I’ve read/listened to, but it’s still good.

Holly: I had another slow reading week. I tell ya, between work and kid stuff I barely have time to breathe, much less read. I’m hopeful someday I’ll get back to it. Thank goodness for audiobooks I can listen to in the car, at practices and at work. Otherwise, I’d have read nothing this week.

I reread a couple books; Mystery Man and Broken Dove by Kristen Ashley and Repeat by Kylie Scott. Aside from that I finished The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook (so good!) and listened to Good Girl by Lauren Layne (it was awful) and Hot as Puck by Lili Valente (I liked it).

I’m currently listening to Trade Me by Courtney Milan. I’m not quite halfway through but I’m enjoying it so far.

Rowena: I’ve been in training all week on a new position at work so I haven’t been reading much of anything. The only thing that I read this week was The Iron Duke (Iron Seas #1) by Meljean Brook and I really enjoyed that but other than that, I haven’t read anything.

I’m starting Coming Up Roses by Staci Hart and Water Bound by Christine Feehan, wish me luck on that.

Giveaway Alert

We are very fortunate here at Book Binge. We have loads and loads of books to read and we want to share the wealth so each week, we’ll be tacking on a Freebie Friday giveaway to our What Are You Reading posts. This week, we’re giving away…

What Are You Reading? (+ Karen Ranney Giveaway)To Love a Duchess by Karen Ranney
Series: All for Love #1
Also in this series: To Bed the Bride
Publisher: Avon
Publication Date: July 31, 2018
Genres: Historical Romance
Pages: 372
Add It: Goodreads
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice | Google Play Books
Series Rating: four-stars

From New York Times Bestselling Author Karen Ranney comes the first book in a royally romantic and deeply emotional new series about taking risks and allowing the power to love satisfy the questions of the heart...

Undercover as a majordomo, spy Adam Drummond has infiltrated Marsley House with one purpose only—to plunder its mysteries and gather proof that the late Duke of Marsley was an unforgivable traitor to his country. At the same time, Adam is drawn to a more beguiling puzzle: the young and still-grieving duchess—a beauty with impenetrable secrets of her own. For Drummond, uncovering them without exposing his masquerade will require the most challenging and tender moves of his career.

That a servant can arouse such passion in her is too shocking for Suzanne Whitcomb, Duchess of Marsley, to consider. Yet nothing quickens her pulse like Drummond's touch. It's been two years since the duke lost his life in a tragic accident—and even longer since she's been treated like a woman. But when Drummond's real mission is revealed, and the truth behind Suzanne's grief comes to light, every secret conspired to tear them apart is nothing compared to the love that can hold them together.

What Are You Reading: To Love a Duchess by Karen Ranney

What are you reading this week? Any new favorites or books that drove you crazy? Share!


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Guest Review: The Lass Wore Black by Karen Ranney

Posted January 21, 2013 by Tracy in Reviews | 2 Comments

Guest Review: The Lass Wore Black by Karen RanneyReviewer: Tracy
The Lass Wore Black by Karen Ranney
Series: Scottish Sisters #2
Publisher: Avon, Harper Collins
Publication Date: January 29, 2013
Format: eARC
Genres: Historical Romance
Add It: Goodreads
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three-half-stars
Series Rating: four-stars

 

Catriona Cameron was once famed for her seductive beauty and charm. Now she saw no one, hiding from the world…and no one dared break through her self-imposed exile.

No one, that is, until Mark Thorburn burst into her home, and Catriona’s darkened world began to have color again. Thorburn, secretly the heir to an Earldom, claimed he was a footman. But Catriona didn’t care about the scandal their passion could cause…for this very touch sparked her back to a life of sensuality, one she thought she’d never have again.

Little does she know that Mark is part of masquerade. One that will end when they become the target of a madman set on revenge. Mark realizes he will have to do more than win her love…he will have to save her life as well.

 Catriona Cameron has not lived a great life – it’s been pretty charmed for the most part – but it hasn’t always been great. Her mother died at her father’s hands (euthanasia) and then he was hanged. Catriona and her sister were left with no one and nothing. Though we don’t get too in depth about what happened directly after their parents’ death we can tell it’s not good. She then became a maid but when her sister married an earl she was given the option to kind of reinvent herself and she took it. She then went to London for a season and that’s when we first see Catriona. She’s having a gay ole time at a party when she sees her old lover. Oh yes, Catriona has not been chaste and Andrew is but one of the three lovers from her past. She’s more than a bit shaken and leaves the party – only to get into a horrible carriage accident which ends up scarring her face horrendously.

After quite a bit of recovery Catriona is taken home to Edinburgh and is taken care of by her aunt by marriage. Her Aunt Dina is beside herself with worry. She believes that Catriona is slowing trying to kill herself by not eating. She won’t leave her suite of rooms except at night to take a walk when everyone else is asleep. Catriona won’t even see any doctors – she’s through with them. Dina decides to ask for help from a doctor she knows, Mark Thorburn. Mark is a saint. He helps not only the rich but is also engaged by the city to go into the slums of the city to take care of the poor. He is kind and compassionate and really an all around good guy. When Catriona refuses to open the door to him, however, he decides to do things an unconventional way and kicks her door in. He tells her that he’s the new footman and then forces her to eat.

The relationship between the footman and Catriona is contentious to say the least with Mark browbeating her into eating but they also start to talk. Mark hopes that he can win her confidence and then he’ll be able to examine her. Catriona is having none of it. She constantly wears a veil so that no one can see her scarring. She wears black all the time and Mark believes it’s a sign of Catriona mourning the loss of her beauty. The two become friends and then lovers but Catriona still doesn’t know that Mark is a doctor. When that news comes out Catriona feels used and Mark’s not sure what to do. Catriona is a woman who now has time to examine her life and she’s not sure she likes what she sees. Yes, she’s been in mourning for her beauty because she knows there’s not a whole lot inside that she has to offer anyone. Besides – she believes that no one would love her because of her scarred face. When Mark shows up she’s rude and mean but eventually she starts to realize that you attract more bees with honey than with vinegar (and I don’t mean that in a manipulative way). She realizes what a total bitch she’s been and decides to change her ways.

The romance between Mark and Catriona is…different. He’s not always there because he has patients and this leaves Catriona a long time to sit and think – which is a good thing. Unfortunately it didn’t leave all that much time for the romance, except sex. Yes, they do talk and get to know each other but as lovely as that was it lacked something. I have no idea what that something is however but it was like the electricity was missing between the hero and heroine. IDK. I know that I was a bit shocked when Catriona asked Mark to sleep with her for money – and he did it…and took the money. Whaaaa? I know he didn’t do it for the money but it just seemed wrong to me.

I have to say that I liked seeing Catriona grow in this book because she definitely did. Ms. Ranney did a wonderful job of turning Catriona around from her previous incarnation. I could see Catriona growing more in the future and that was great. Mark was wonderful as well and I really liked his character. I thought he had the perfect personality and disposition to be with Catriona. I did have an issue with his pretending to be a footman as I’m never a fan of people pretending to be something they’re not – it’s just never a good thing in a romance novel as it never works out well. There was also a suspense part of the book that had to deal with Andrew, Catriona’s old lover, and his obsession with Catriona but that was definitely more background than anything.

In the end it was a good read that I had some issues with but an entertaining read overall.

Rating: 3.25 out of 5

 

three-half-stars


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Guest Review: The Devil Wears Tartan by Karen Ranney

Posted March 20, 2009 by Book Binge Guest Blogger in Reviews | 4 Comments

Guest Review: The Devil Wears Tartan by Karen RanneyReviewer: Tracy
The Devil Wears Tartan by Karen Ranney
Publisher: Avon, Harper Collins
Publication Date: August 26, 2008
Format: eARC
Genres: Historical Romance
Add It: Goodreads
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four-stars

 

A man in the shadows

Some say he is dangerous. Others say he is mad. None of them knows the truth about Marshall Ross, the Devil of Ambrose. He shuns proper society, sworn to let no one discover his terrible secret. Including the beautiful woman he has chosen to be his wife.

A fallen woman

Only desperation could bring Davina McLaren to the legendary Edinburgh castle to become the bride of a man she has never met. Plagued by scandal, left with no choices, she has made her bargain with the devil. And now she must share his bed.

A fire unlike any they’ve ever known

From the moment they meet, Davina and Marshall are rocked by an unexpected desire that leaves them only yearning for more. But the pleasures of the marriage bed cannot protect them from the sins of the past. With an enemy of Marshall’s drawing ever closer and everything they now cherish most at stake, he and Davina must fight to protect the passion they cannot deny.

Davina McLaren has had a really bad year. Curiosity about sex got the best of her and she had a tryst with someone. Unfortunately they got caught and she’s been shunned by polite society in Edinburgh for the year. Her aunt, her guardian, makes a marriage contract to someone Davina has never met. She’s not please with the match but what can she do.

Marshall Ross is haunted by horrible events in his past, literally haunted. He sees ghosts and has vivid horrifying dreams. He needs a wife to get himself an heir but all he wants is a woman he can bed and then keep to himself as he has this past year.
Neither Davina nor Marshall expect to have feelings for the other but even on their wedding day they can’t seem to keep their eyes off of each other.
I enjoyed this book tremendously. It was an extremely quiet book in the fact that there wasn’t action scenes constantly but that didn’t stop the book from getting my full attention. Ranney does a fabulous job of letting us know the hero and heroine’s feelings. Whether it was about themselves or others. The first part of the book where Davina is being shipped off to marry Marshall and she likens herself to a chair that has no choice as to where it’s placed is amazing. Davina and her aunt are in the carriage on their way to the wedding:

…she acquiesced to her aunt’s various instructions to straighten her bonnet, don her gloves, pull down her skirt, and not fuss when Nora dusted off her shoes.

The chair was getting reupholstered and its limbs polished, the better to show itself to advantage. Perhaps she should also get her cushions restuffed.

I also think that what pulled me into this book so tightly was the honesty that Marshall and Davina had with each other. They just spoke their minds whether it was shocking to the other or not, but it was just all part of the conversation. And there were many conversation, which was wonderful. This is a book that I will definitely be keeping and reading again in the future.

Rating 4 out of 5

four-stars


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