The Scottish Duke

by Karen Ranney

Overview

New York Times bestselling author Karen Ranney returns with the first novel in a new series about dashing, charismatic dukes—and the women who tame them…

Though raised as a gentleman’s daughter, Lorna Gordon is obliged to take a position as an upstairs maid at Blackhall Castle when her father dies. Alex Russell, the Duke of Kinross, is the most tempting man she’s ever seen—and completely unattainable—until, at a fancy dress ball, Lorna disguises herself as Marie Antoinette and pursues an illicit tryst…with scandalous consequences.

Months after his mysterious seductress disappears, Alex encounters her again. Far from the schemer the distrustful duke assumed her to be, Lorna is fiercely independent and resourceful. She’s the one woman capable of piercing his defenses. But when danger threatens Lorna, Alex must prove himself not just the lover of her fantasies, but the man who will fight to protect her.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062466877
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	11/29/2016
Pages:	384
Sales rank:	419,942
Product dimensions:	4.10(w) x 6.70(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Karen Ranney wanted to be a writer from the time she was five years old and filled her Big Chief tablet with stories. People in stories did amazing things and she was too shy to do anything amazing. Years spent in Japan, Paris, and Italy, however, not only fueled her imagination but proved she wasn't that shy after all.

Now a New York Times and USA Today bestseller, she prefers to keep her adventures between the covers of her books. Karen lives in San Antonio, Texas.

Editorial Reviews

★ 09/19/2016
Ranney’s first Dukes romance sets a riveting fairy tale story in a beautiful castle in the Scottish Highlands in 1861. Lorna Gordon has been working as a maid at Blackhall Castle since the death of her father, a botanist. After seeing Alexander Russell, the ninth Duke of Kinross, at a distance, she is determined to interact with him as a guest at his costume ball. Once she’s disguised as Marie Antoinette, Lorna easily attracts Alex’s attention. After a sizzling encounter that neither of them expected, Lorna feels disillusioned about the man whom she has worshipped from afar, while he thinks of her as manipulative. Their circumstances change, they meet again, and they begin to overcome their differences and misconceptions. The development of their romance is intense and captivating as Alex and Lorna discover mutual passion and learn that love makes them stronger together than apart. This promising series inception is sure to garner attention from fans of historicals, who will want to follow up with future series installments. (Dec.)

Publishers Weekly

a riveting fairy tale story in a beautiful castle in the Scottish Highlands [...] The development of their romance is intense and captivating [...] This promising series inception is sure to garner attention from fans of historicals” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Ranney has created a unique and enchanting riff on the age-old Cinderella tale. Readers who can’t get enough of hunky Highland heroes will love this enticing tale.” — Booklist (starred review)

“Ranney infuses her story with depth of emotions and sensuality. A definite read for Ranney fans.” — RT Book Reviews

From the Publisher

Ranney has created a unique and enchanting riff on the age-old Cinderella tale. Readers who can’t get enough of hunky Highland heroes will love this enticing tale.

Booklist (starred review)

Ranney infuses her story with depth of emotions and sensuality. A definite read for Ranney fans.

RT Book Reviews

Sept. 7, 2016
When a straight-laced Scottish duke loses his head and makes love to a mystery woman at a masquerade, he's shocked to find, months later, that he's going to be a father.The orphaned Lorna Gordon avoids the poorhouse in Victorian Scotland by taking a position as a maid at Blackhall Castle, the seat of the Duke of Kinross. She quickly becomes obsessed with Alexander Russell, the handsome but reserved duke, and attends a fancy dress ball in disguise in order to get his attention. The duke, who never noticed Lorna when she was dressed as a maid, is captivated, and the two end up conceiving a child in the castle’s conservatory. As her pregnancy advances, Lorna must leave her position, but Alex learns of the situation and brings her back to the estate. They marry in haste while Lorna is in labor, making their son the duke’s legal heir. So far, so good—but the plot from here on out is woefully predictable. It's obvious to the reader that Alex has fallen in love with Lorna, but because of betrayals and hurts in his past, it takes him hundreds of pages to realize it. However, this first book in the new Duke Trilogy is saved by Ranney’s (An American in Scotland, 2016) ability to create unusual and complex characters. Alex is an amateur scientist studying fingerprints, while Lorna is a talented illustrator who also knows how to make herbal remedies. Both are charmingly flawed, and both grow during the story. There are also several secondary characters with interesting story arcs, such as the dowager duchess and the maid, Nan, who is a true friend to Lorna. In spite of the strong characters and engaging writing style, the novel is disappointing because of its lackluster plot.

Kirkus Review

Tim Campbell’s agreeable narration should satisfy a wide audience looking for a tale with both seductive scenes and classic romance. Lorna, a former maid of Blackhall Castle, seduced Duke Alex Russell at a masquerade. Months later, where the story begins, Lorna is pregnant and stubbornly decides to raise the child herself when she gives birth. After the duke hears about the Lorna’s pregnancy, their relationship slowly builds. Campbell succeeds in depicting each of the characters uniquely with appropriate accents and pitch during dialogue, but listeners may find his delivery of narrative a bit stiff. Come for the explicit scenes but stay for a conventional love story reminiscent of Shakespeare’s TAMING OF THE SHREW. G.M. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine

DECEMBER 2016 - AudioFile