Customer Reviews

Upon A Wicked Time

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

As an avid romance reader, I've never been so disgusted with the hero that I needed to quit reading. Use this book as kindling. Enough said.

I must admit that I hated the hero and had a difficult time trying to find some redeeming qualities. The further I read, the more intrigued I became until I finally realized that I had become very emotionally involved with Tess & Jared. I say good job to the author that she was able to draw me into the story and feel things, anger, disgust and finally joy and relief. Also, this is a story that I remember and have compared to other stories that I have read. That too says that the author has done a good job in telling a memorable story. Other books by Karen Ranney that I would recommend are "After The Kiss," "My Beloved" & "My True Love."

I purchased two if Karen Ranney's books but if this is an accurate example of her style, I want my money back. I find no way to make any sort of sympathetic connection to the selfish jack-ass that is Jered and the stupdily naive Tessa. Honestly, although I have only read about half way through, I am ready to just burn this book to ashes. Short of self-castration, there is nothing Jered can do to win over my sympathies, and even then I doubt it would change my mind. And Tessa! Why on earth would she want to befriend someone who obviously does NOT care for her even when he confesses to admiring some of her qualities (apparently he forgot to list "idiotic" and "has no self-esteem whatsoever") When she calls herself an idiot, she's right! I am willing to just drop this book and give Ranney one last chance but if her other books turn out to be as horribly written as this one, I may throw up!

"It began with shared silences, it grew in shared laughter, it drew on its own strength..." describes not only Ranney's seduction of the reader but also the seduction of Jered (silly man thinks he's doing the seducing). The story begins with a seduction of the reader's senses, then builds, and feeds on itself until the final six words brings the title to its completion. Typical of Ranney's writing style, every word, every image, every page delivers description that feels like silk in a breeze. Tessa is quirky and clever. Jered is virile and tainted. Sensual seduction begins in the prologue. Sexual seduction begins in chapter 1...and doesn't miss a beat or an opportunity to the last page. The picture on the back cover is the first time I have ever thought the models actually resembled a book's characters in appearance, pose, and expression. Be seduced...

The story 'Upon a Wicked Time' was a great read. Karen Ranney has a rare and unique ability to portray the emotions of two deep characters - Tessa and Jered. Jered has been hurt in the past, a hurt he wraps around him like a dark cloak, keeping him from happiness. (Which is a persistent Tessa.) Ms Ranney's character's antics are hilarious and their depth startling - a combination that was extremely satisfying. I definitely would recommend this book. It was my first by Karen Ranney, but i'm ready to search out more.

When I read the prologue for this book I thought it would be a good read, but boy was I wrong. From chapter 2 this book was hard to swallow. The "hero" of the book does nothing but humiliate, insult and push away the "heroine". I found myself gasping outloud at some of the things this man did. Okay so he was gorgeous and extremely wonderful in bed, that to me is not worth losing your self respect. The only reason I kept reading the book was because I kept waiting for the woman to get some pride and give back with equal measure. All she does is sit there and regally (per the author) submit herself to all his humiliations. How many of us would tolerate our husband to fondle a tavern maid's breast right in front of you or would accept your husband to talk freely about his lack of a mistress and his mistress's sexual qualities??? Perhaps I would of accepted all this if only the heroine would of gotten a grip and grown some pride and turned the tables around on him but she never did. I don't want to ruin the ending but that itself was not even worth all the irritation I had got from reading this book. If you like your heroines to be treated like, well you know, then this is the book for you.

I like Rake's. I don't mind bad boy behavior but Jered was a bore and over the top in his poor behavior and as for our heroine, Tessa - get some self-esteem!!! It is all well that she wanted to be his friend, wanted sex, he was gorgeous, but to be constantly made aware of his poor behavior (kissing his mistress in front of her) well, get a grip girl. He deserved to be spanked for such boorish behavior. This was not romantic, just a story of a world weary man taking advantage of a young girl. If only Ms. RAnney had given Tessa some backbone, like her mother. Also, the Jered showed such disrespect for his in-laws too that there was really nothing to like about him.

Young 16 year old Tessa Astley, sitting under a tree, met her Prince charming in the guise of Jered Mandeville, Duke of Kittridge, and then three years later is wed to the irresitably handsome Duke. A dream come true one would think, but Karen Ranney, led these two down a tumultuous path.

It was hard to like the Duke at first because he was soooo hateful to Tessa who absolutely adored him. He did not realize she would have the audacity to stand up to him when having wed her he thought he would just escape to London and leave her in the country to breed his heirs. Not Tessa, who turns out to be one of the spunkiest heroines I have run across lately. The part where she decided to visit Jered's mistriss (thinking she would find him there) and the conversation with said mistriss was absolutely hysterical. The descriptive scenes of loving, took my breath away. This was my first book by Karen Ranney and it most definitely will not be my last. I loved her writing style!

I was very excited about this book. I have found Karen Ranney to be a very enjoyable read. However, the story of Tessa and Jered is one a bit different than her other books that I have read, (After the Kiss, GREAT book!)In the first chapter Tessa and Jered are married. His only need for a wife is to have children, otherwise he is not interested in her. She on the other hand loves him. He goes out of his way to make her hate him. He becomes so mean and unkind (leaving for his other home the night after there wedding without telling her, Kissing his misstress in front of her, to name a few) that I had to put the book down and come back later when I was not so made at him. In the end I was glad that I finished it, because I did enjoy it. It was a good book, but you have to be able to read and get past Jered's actions to fully enjoy and even finish the book!

I have enjoyed all of this authors books. The beginning of this book seemed predictable and slow, but soon built up steam until I couldn't put it down. It was so full of surprises and unexpected humor, I found myselt gasping with laughter. I did not like Jared very much but he was trying so hard to be unlikeable and I understood him much better at the end of the book. The imagination of this author really fascinates me. The church yard scene was so real and unusual. I really enjoyed Tessa's introspections. And Tessa's mother is a jewel.