Unwrapping: Review of A SCANDALOUS SCOT by Karen Ranney

Being a big fan of Karen Ranney to begin with, both of her work and her person, she never fails to brighten my day with her delightful posts on her blog - I have been especially looking forward to her newest release, A SCANDALOUS SCOT or ASS as we have come to affectionately refer to it, for some time. Lucky me, as an Avon Addict, I received a copy in this month's goodies. A SCANDALOUS SCOT by Karen Ranney released, June 26, 2012.

Blurb for A SCANDALOUS SCOT:

One scandal was never enough . . .

After four long years, Morgan MacCraig has finally returned to the Highlands of his birth . . . with his honor in shreds. After a scandal, all he wants now is solace-yet peace is impossible to find with the castle's outspoken new maid trying his patience, challenging his manhood . . . and winning his love, body and soul.

Jean MacDonald wants to leave her past behind and start anew, but Ballindair Castle, a Scottish estate rumored to be haunted, hasn't been the safe haven she envisioned. Ballindair's ancestral ghosts aren't as fascinating as Morgan, the most magnificent man she's ever seen. Though their passion triggers a fresh scandal that could force them to wed, Jean must first share the secrets of her own past-secrets that could force them apart, or be the beginning of a love and redemption unlike anything they've ever known.

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Jean MacDonald came to Ballandair with her sister, Catriona, to escape a life ruined by tragedy and scandal. Now the pair work as maids under the care of their aunt, Mary MacDonald who is the housekeeper of the great house of the 9th Earl of Denbleigh, Morgan MacCraig. Keeping to herself and doing her duties as maid to the best of her abilities, Jean spends her free time reading about the ghosts who inhabit the great house and hunting them at night. Never did she expect to find herself tumbling over the Earl or becoming entangled in a lie that may lead to further ruination for herself, her sister and cost her aunt her prestigious position at Ballandair.

Morgan MacCraig has come home to his ancestral home to escape the ruination caused by his wife's numerous infidelities and his resulting divorce of her. Feeling rejected, somewhat emasculated, betrayed and angry, his returning to Ballindair in such a state leaves him with the worst feeling of all - a great sense of failure as a MacCraig and not worthy of filling his father's shoes as the 9th Earl of Denbleigh. Never did he expect to find himself forced to undo a wrong by marrying one of the maids who intrigues and mesmerizes him despite her plainness.

A SCANDALOUS SCOT by Karen Ranney starts out rather slow causing this reader, I have to admit, to hesitate wanting to continue but since I'm not one to give up easily on any book, I soon found myself sucked into a splendid story. Despite the slow beginning, once the characters revealed their depth of personality, the story soared with mischief, steamy romance and familial troubles that are easily related to on many levels.

Karen Ranney has always written with flair, detail and strong character portrayals and A SCANDALOUS SCOT is no exception to her writing talents. Aside from the slow start, A SCANDALOUS SCOT is a 'Cinderella' story with a slightly evil sister, rather than an evil stepmother, who redeems herself in the end with an undeniable sibling love and a 'Prince Charming' who lives up to his calling once his Countess brings out his best and most honorable self.

A SCANDALOUS SCOT by Karen Ranney is a delightful historical highland romance that once delved into will ensnare you and delight you straight through to the end with its happily-ever-after ending. In fact, I believe this ending, especially the last part, is one of the best I've ever read with its ...  If a ghost could be said to smile, he did. - A SCANDALOUS SCOT

Happy Reading Everyone!

A SCANDALOUS SCOT by Karen Ranney, Avon Romance, available now in print and ebook formats.