Karen Ranney, Autumn in Scotland

Autumn in Scotland

Karen Ranney

Avon, December 2006, $6.99

ISBN: 0060757450

In 1833 London, Charlotte Haversham married Scottish Earl George MacKinnon, but except for that first night, he never came to her bed. Soon afterward he abandoned his wife all together, but not before he collected her dowry. So being a paragon of behavior, Charlotte travels to her husband's home Castle Balfurin to live amidst the falling apart edifice and ruined land, though he is not there. She finds the cold dark and damp abode inviting, and plans to renovate the castle and invigorate the estate.

Five years later, Dixon MacKinnon arrives at the family home Balfurin expecting ruins, but finding a warm home instead. The woman running the castle, Charlotte insists she is his wife, but he realizes she has confused him with his cousin George, who has vanished without a trace; he fails to correct Charlotte's error, though he is not sure why, except that he wants her. As he investigates what happened to that wastrel George and searches for rumored treasure hidden on the estate, he falls in love. However, Dixon knows he owes his beloved the truth, but fears he will lose the treasure he has found, Charlotte.

AUTUMN IN SCOTLAND is a charming historical romance with a touch of the Gothic, and a bit of a mystery to enhance the prime plot of the growing attraction between the lead couple. Charlotte is a delightful person who keeps her head high, though George took her dowry, her virginity, and her dignity when he left her. Dixon is caught in the classic web of deceit, as he knows the truth must be told, but the cost could destroy him, as he knows his beloved does not trust men, especially MacKinnon males. Karen Ranney provides a heated nineteenth century Scottish romance that her fans will treasure.