A Novel with Thoughts and Ponderings

A BORROWED SCOT

Author: Karen Ranney ISBN: 9780061771880 4/2011 HISTORICAL Publisher: AVON
Time Period: 1866 London and Scotland

A Borrowed Scot by Karen Ranney
Though she possesses remarkable talents and astonishing insight, Veronica MacLeod knows nothing about the man who appears from nowhere to prevent her from committing the most foolish and desperate act of her life. Recently named Lord Fairfax of Doncaster Hall, the breathtaking, secretive stranger agrees to perform the one act of kindness that can rescue the Scottish beauty from scandal and disgrace—by taking Veronica as his bride.

Journeying with Montgomery Fairfax to his magnificent estate in the Highlands, Veroniica knows deep in her heart that this is a man she can truly love—a noble soul, a caring and passionate lover whose touch awakens feelings she's never before known.  Yet there are ghosts in Montgomery's shuttered past that haunt him still. Unless Veronica can somehow unlock the enigma that is her new husband, their powerful passion could be undone by the sins and sorrows of yesterday.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS: 4 Rose Read

I love the way Karen Ranney tells a story. She is particularly good at adding details about any given time period most leave out. It is as though she ferrets out details from every nook and cranny available to her. For example, when writing about 1866, as she is in A BORROWED SCOT, she adds a fascinating detail about hot air balloons being used in the Civil War! For Ranney, it isn't enough that the hero is an American coming to Scotland to claim a title by way of England. Oh, no. Ranney has to throw in the fact that he fought for the Union in a Balloon Corps! Amazing, and exactly why I love her books.

While I am continuously amazed by the details of A BORROWED SCOT, I am not thrilled with some of the interaction between the characters. Sometimes I feel as though they have started a conversation before I arrive, so that when I step into the room, I only catch half of it. Some of dialogue is stilted, and spoken in phrases and subtle nuances that only the characters understand. Again, it is as though I am missing or cannot comprehend part of their relations with one another. In the beginning, because of this feeling, I find the book a bit difficult to get into. But, as time goes on, the pages turn and those glorious, descriptive details emerge and some of my unease over the communication recedes.

A BORROWED SCOT is another gift from Ranney that I will always marvel at. It is a wildly innovative story, even though the time period has long been written about. How she consistently writes in this way I can only wonder about, but I am so very glad to be able to benefit from her imagination.

Shannon Johnson

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