It was a 'nice' book. An intriguing premise and plot. Somehow the story and characters did not grab me and pull me along through the story as I was hoping. But still, a well written and readable book. ( )

The Devil Wears Tartan by Karen Ranney

Karen Ranney’s historical romance novel, The Devil Wears Tartan, is an intense and thoroughly complex tale that weaves a detailed story. Yet it is easily followed; and holds a reader’s interest from beginning to end. The main couple first seems a train wreck waiting to happen, but in time, each finds that even self-loathing and mishap of circumstance can be a solid base for growth.

Davina McLaren is a strong and vibrant woman with little to no fear. Her will and strength of character in times of adversity are something to be admired. She is direct without being hurtful and rude, though she still manages to speak her own mind. Being continuously chastised by her aunt for being so does not change her because she is true to herself and what she believes. Marshall Ross, Earl of Lorne, carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. He does more to punish himself than any other person could do to him. He is strong yet weak, and a manipulator yet a pawn. He is a walking contradiction, yet is as fixed on his beliefs of himself as most are about others, whether known or unknown.

Each character is solid meticulously formed in the reader’s mind. It is the “norm” for the main couple in a novel to be focused and well presented, but Ranney does not ignore secondary characters. Such attention to detail builds the novel’s world up around the reader and becomes more of an experience than an average read. Character materialization is a skill every writer strives to cultivate.

The plot flows smoothly and keeps reader’s attention from beginning to the very end. Though the characters have many stumbling-blocks to deal with, most of their own making, reader’s will enjoy a smooth and exciting ride. Ranney’s intricate tale holds an abundance of drama, humor, action, and romance. It will keep readers on their toes. There is clearly something here for most of the readers out there.

The only irritation I had at all with this book, through no fault of the author or her story, is when searching the back pages for other possible information on the author and her other novels. Avon Books, an imprint of HarperCollins, shelves this novel. Instead of dedicating the entirety of pages to the author, her works, and tale, the rear of the work was used as advertising space for other novels on the imprint’s list. I have a problem with this for a few reasons. One, I believe an author should be represented by someone who sees her or him as more than a commodity. Two, on the small chance that readers, such as myself, look at the far back of a book, it is to further explore the author writing the book just read, not a listing of numerous other authors on the publisher’s docket. Finally, I question why the publisher feels the need to push these writers, and in examining such a motive, will be more likely to avoid the listed writers, unless I happen upon their work myself. ( )

Amazon preorder,Sep 08

Okay historical romance set in 1880's Scotland.

http://ktleyed.blogspot.com/2009/10/devil-wears-tartan-by-karen-ranney.html ( )

Reviewed for queuemyreview.com; book release Sep08

I think it was the cover of this book that called to me. A brawny highlander, shown from the waist up, dressed only his plaid. Delicious. Then I read inside the front cover: a woman felled by scandal and a recluse called the Devil of Ambrose. Now who could resist a Victorian romance like that?

Davina is a fallen woman--shunned by society and doomed to a life of spinsterhood. She really can’t blame anyone but herself. Her father always did say her curiosity would get her in trouble. But it could be worse, she does prefer to read anyway, so now she’ll just spend her life learning from her books. Until the aunt who took her in after her father’s death arranges a marriage for her. And not just any marriage, she’ll be the Countess of Lorne. Obviously, there’s something wrong with her husband and darn her curiosity again, but Davina can’t stop herself from wanting to solve his mysteries…especially once she sees him and realizes he’s young and handsome, and very skilled in the art of lovemaking.

Marshall is a tormented man who spends his life secluded, by choice, from society. Where once he exulted in the fun, games, and challenges of his life he’s now haunted by the souls of those who died under his command during his last diplomatic mission to China. But before he dies he wants an heir and asks his man of affairs to find him a wife of childbearing age. He doesn’t expect to care for her and he just hopes that the luxuries and wealth of being the Countess of Lorne will be enough to make up for being married to an insane man. He just never counted on Davina and her unwillingness to settle for less than what she wants…and she appears to want him.

This story has quite a bit of angst. He’s suffering and even though it’s apparent to the simplest reader what’s wrong, he doesn’t figure it out. Uh huh. Davina is quite brilliant herself and she doesn’t figure it out either…sure. That was my biggest beef with this story. If you can get past that, the rest of the plot is plausible and I wasn’t certain of the villain until the last part, suspicious but not certain. There’s a kind of side-story involving Davina’s aunt which doesn’t really pan out, instead the author gives the reader just enough glimpses of what’s going on to tie it into the main story. I’m not sure if that was to prepare readers for a possible future story starring the aunt or not, but that’s the only reason I can think of for doing so. For the most part, I just felt a certain distance from all the characters in this novel. I didn’t feel a growing connection between the hero and heroine, it just seemed that they woke up one day and cared for each other after very little interaction. Then they maintained a distance from other and yet the heroine was willing to do anything to save the hero. I just couldn’t buy it.

Karen Ranney is an author who’s had great success with her Highland stories. It could be that this particular book is not one of the best, but for whatever reason, “The Devil Wears Tartan” just didn’t gel for me. The characters stayed creatures on paper and the story didn’t hold much in the way of surprise. I did appreciate the humor in the ending and the wealth of information in Egyptology though. However, it wasn’t quite enough to make me truly enjoy the book. ( )