Autumn In Scotland [Mass Market Paperback]

When her new husband, George, disappears along with her dowry after only a week of marriage, Charlotte makes the decision to travel to Scotland to take up residence in her husband's castle, Balfurin. She hadn't anticipated finding it in ruins and a few elderly servants left to care for the crumbling estate. Her parents insistthat she return with them to England but Charlotte has other plans and uses her inheritance to transform Balfurin into a school for the advancement of females.

Dixon MacKinnon has returned to Balfurin after more than a decade abroad. He'd been raised by his uncle George there after the untimely deaths of his parents. He fully expects to find the crumbling castle that he remembers from his youth. Instead he finds a completely transformed castle missing some sections and a new building nearby.

Dixon arrives at Bulfurin in time to witness the first graduation ceremony of Caledonia School for the Advancement of Females. He's stunned by all the changes that have been made to his former home, but more importantly where is his uncle and why would he allow his home to be made into a school for a bunch of girls. Imagine his surprise when upon being introduced to the gathering as the Laird of Bulfurin he's approached by the proprietor of the school and informed that she hasn't been able to divorce him, and maybe she should kill him instead. Dixon quickly realizes that she's mistaken him for her missing husband, but how is it she doesn't recognize the differences between him and his uncle? Where did George disappear to after abandoning Charlotte?

Karen Ranney's AUTUMN IN SCOTLAND is a delightful read about a young woman who opts to make her own way in life instead of continuing to live with her parents after her husband's abandonment. I found that I had a lot of respect for her and her determination to make something out of the pile of rocks that belongs to her husband. I had to laugh at Dixon's reaction to Charlotte's hostility and could fully understand why he chooses not to divulge his true identity after her initial tongue-lashing. It's a battle of wills fraught with sexual tension between the two of them that will entice readers to delve further into this storyline. There are several secondary characters whom I was delighted to read about and eagerly anticipated every scene where any of them might appear. Dixon's friend, Matthew, and the ladies of the Edification Society are especially delightful and add a humorous edge to the storyline. AUTUMN IN SCOTLAND is a fun-filled book which I'm sure many readers of Scottish romances will thoroughly enjoy!

Chrissy Dionne (courtesy of Romance Junkies)

This title is very deceptive because Karen Ranny has written another tender, passionate, heart-felt romance novel and the title says nothing about what this book is all about!

When Charlotte is abandoned by her handsome husband after their wedding night... she is totally devastated! Her parents demand she return to London with them but she refuses and proceeds to restore her husband's family castle... which is in ruins... using her own inheritance to do so. She opens a school for young ladies and is very successful. After 5 years her long-lost husband, the Earle of Marne returns. Charlotte does not recognize that it is really her husband's cousin who has come to Balfurin. Dixon is immediately smitten with Charlotte's vibrancy, beauty and fiery independence and cannot resist deceiving her. He pretends to be her husband, woos her into believing he's repented and beds her passionately. There is a good love scene here and also great emotional love expressed by this author. The rest of the story deals with a lost treasure and the treachery of deception and the triumph of true love!

Abandoned by her husband after only a week of marriage, Charlotte, Countess Marne goes to Scotland to find him. Arriving with her parents, Charlotte does not find her husband, George, instead she finds the ruins of a castle and a few starving servants. Determined to stay in Scotland, Charlotte stays behind despite the fact that her parents refuse to give her funds and return to England. To survive, Charlotte fights for her inheritance and uses it to restore the castle and open a school for girls.

Returning home to find peace within himself, Dixon MacKinnon arrives at the castle during graduation ceremonies. Mistaken for his cousin, the Earl of Marne, Dixon doesn't correct the mistake. Intrigued by Charlotte, Dixon wants to get to know her better while trying to find out what has become of his cousin, George. With Charlotte hesitant to give the man she considers her husband a second chance, Dixon must carefully woo the reluctant Countess, avoid being discovered an imposter and discover the whereabouts of the real Earl of Marne.

I found Autumn in Scotland delightfully engaging. I understood Charlotte's pride hampered longing for Dixon and Dixon's over long guilt. I wanted very much for the pair to have a second chance at love. I found their tale very romantic and sigh worthy.

If you enjoy historical romances with a hint of mystery, you'll want to read Karen Ranney's Autumn in Scotland.

Annmarie

Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

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