A Highland Duchess
Karen Ranney
Avon
377 Pages
Published August 2010
Paperback
Victorian/Scottish Highlands
ISBN: 978-0-06-177184-2
Synopsis
The beautiful but haughty Duchess of Herridge is known to all the "ton" as the "Ice Queen." But to Ian McNair, the exquisite Emma is nothing like the rumors. Sensual and passionate, she moves him as no other woman has before. If only she were his wife and not his captive . . .
Little does Emma know that the dark and mysterious stranger who bursts into her bedroom to kidnap her is the powerful Earl of Buchane, and the only man who has been able to see past her proper faCade. As the Ice Queen's defenses melt under the powerful passion she finds with her handsome captor, she begins to believe that love may be possible. Yet fate has decreed that the dream can never be--for pursuing it means sacrificing everything they hold dear: their honor, their futures . . . and perhaps their lives.
The beautiful but haughty Duchess of Herridge is known to all the "ton" as the "Ice Queen." But to Ian McNair, the exquisite Emma is nothing like the rumors. Sensual and passionate, she moves him as no other woman has before. If only she were his wife and not his captive . . .
Little does Emma know that the dark and mysterious stranger who bursts into her bedroom to kidnap her is the powerful Earl of Buchane, and the only man who has been able to see past her proper faCade. As the Ice Queen's defenses melt under the powerful passion she finds with her handsome captor, she begins to believe that love may be possible. Yet fate has decreed that the dream can never be--for pursuing it means sacrificing everything they hold dear: their honor, their futures . . . and perhaps their lives.
MY REVIEW
Summary:
Emma, Duchess and a recent widow, is still in her mourning period, but about to come out of it. Then he uncle informs her that she is to be married again, willingly or not, she has no choice in the matter. Then that night, a stranger comes into her bedroom and kidnaps her for he is in search of a mirror, a gift from her late husband, that she had practically forgotten about. Now Emma is his captive, and send her uncle a ransom: the mirror, for his niece. However it is apparent that her uncle could care less if she ends up not returning to him dead or alive, ever since her husbands death, has gambled away her fortune and if she were dead he would have full access to it. Emma even though captured, has felt more at home with Ian that she has ever been with anyone else, and she opens her heart to him, even knowing that there is no future for them, for she is to marry another, as is he.....but sometimes the matters of the heart have a way of disrupting best laid plans....
The Hero (Ian Macnair)
Ian, is a scot and engaged to be married to a young woman, who is the daughter of his partner in science. He is fond of her, but doesn't love her. Now he needs the mirror and she is the only person he knows of that has possession of it. However he never expected to be able to break through the barrier of the "Ice Queen" and reach the real Emma, who has a heart of gold, and a passion that will match his. Ian even though strong, handsome and dangerous, is also searching for love, but has yet to find it, until he falls for Emma, whom he desperately wants in his life. Ian, knowing of her past, has never judged her, and has just accepted her as who she is, a woman worthy of love....
The Heroine (Emma Herrige)
Emma, Duchess of Herrige, and late widow, has not been dealt fairness in her young life. Both under her uncle and recent husbands control. She has always been the Ice Queen, never the Emma as she once was when she was a young girl, full of life and passion for everything around her. Now all she knows is pain and fear. She has never had hope or love, until a stranger kindaps her in the night, and shows her what the road to freedom tastes like, a road Emma believes she can never travel. But life is full of surprise and unexpected events will change her into the woman she was suppose to have been....
My Thoughts
A Highland Duchess is the most recent book from Karen Ranney. As far as romances go, this was a average read for me. I could get into the story, but it wasn't like I couldn't put it down, I actually ended up pausing multiple times through the story. It wasn't a enlightening read or enchanting, but there was a drama about the story that held a certain appeal for me. I have usually enjoyed reading books from this author, so I was surprised when I had such a challenging time getting through this one. I found that there wasn't much consistency of engaging the reader much. The story had some flow, but it could be erratic at times. I did enjoy the characters and the emotional side of the story. There were parts of the story that drew me, but there were other parts, where I had to force myself to read through it. Overall it was a enjoyable read, but not one I would want to buy or re read....
My Favorite Quote
"I may be a pariah, Ian, but I would also be a partner. I would be there to listen to you complain, to hear your theories, to tell you that you're marvelous"
My Grade On This Book
3.5 Blossoms
