SO IN LOVE

Author: Karen Ranney ISBN: 0380821087 7/2004 HISTORICAL Publisher: Avon
Time Period: Scotland - 1792

Was ever a betrayal so cruel? Jeanne du Marchand adored her dashing young Scotsman, Douglas MacRae, and every moment in his arms was pure rapture. But when her father, the Comte du Marchand, learned she was carrying Douglas's child, Jeanne was torn from the proud youth without a word of farewell -- and separated not long after from her newborn baby daughter. Jeanne feared her life was over, for all she truly cared about was lost to her. Can the power of love prevail? Once Douglas believed his lady's loving words -- until her betrayal turned his ardor to contempt. He cannot forget even now, ten years later, when destiny brings her to his native Scotland, broken in spirit but as beautiful as before. His pride will not let him play the fool again, although memories of a past -- secret, innocent, and fragile -- tempt him. Can passion lead to love and forgiveness?

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Well, Karen Ranney herself warned me that if I thought her previous release in the MacRae saga was sorrowful, that I should steer clear of the next one, SO IN LOVE. Did I listen? Naturally not. Not when I know just how talented a writer she is and how very few authors can write a gut-wrenching, tear-jerker like she does. As a matter of fact, I would like to pose a question to her - "Do you bawl your eyes out and shout at the characters for being so stubborn when you are writing this stuff?!" I know my insides twist and churn with every page, until I get to the end and find the two misunderstood lovers together at last.

SO IN LOVE is wonderful. It is as simple and complicated as that. The writing is so descriptive and powerful that you visualize every moment, every look, and every yearning Douglas MacRae and Jeanne du Marchand experience. The emotional rollercoaster of the story is, at times, excruciatingly painful, and then strangely uplifting, as the characters fight so very hard to find hope and healing. It is also very sad, because as you read it you think how much time was lost to Douglas and Jeanne, and how unfair it is that they cannot get it back.

I realize I think most of Karen's books are wonderful, but this one reminds me of when I discovered MY BELOVED. That was the first book I read by her. I was so moved by it that I emailed Karen to tell her so. That may not sound like a big deal to some, but I don't do that sort of thing, even with authors that I have read for fifteen years. As a matter of fact, she remains the only author I have ever done that with. Had I read this one first, there is no doubt I would have done the same. SO IN LOVE, Book Five of The Highland Lords, is number one to me.

Shannon Johnson