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The Devil of Clan Sinclair

(Clan Sinclair #1)

Karen Ranney

3.75 · Rating details · 870 ratings · 104 reviews

For Virginia Traylor, Countess of Barrett, marriage was merely the vehicle to buy her father a title. Widowhood, however, brings a host of problems. For her husband deliberately spent the money intended for Virginia and her in-laws, leaving them penniless—unless she produces an heir. Desperate and confused, Virginia embarks on a fateful journey that brings her to the doors ...more

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Mass Market Paperback, 378 pages

Published July 30th 2013 by Avon (first published July 15th 2013)

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Jun 24, 2013 Blythe Smith rated it it was ok

Shelves: review-books

Ah, my favorite. A conflict that could have been resolved in five minutes if the hero and heroine would just have the conversation they refuse to have. It could go something like this:

Heroine: "I am trying to get pregnant with your child and pass him off as my dead husband's son and heir because otherwise my in-laws will be poverty stricken, and even though my husband was a real dick I like my in-laws. But I really love you."

Hero: "Conveniently, I am independently wealthy and can take care of e ...more

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Apr 20, 2013 Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~* rated it liked it

Shelves: scottish-fiction-romances

Setting: 1869 Scotland

3 1/2 Stars for this reader.

When her husband dies without an heir,Virginia Traylor Countess of Barrett,is desperate to find a way to save the family. So following her mother-in-law's advice,she rushes to her childhood sweetheart. Macrath Sinclair has made a fortune as an inventor and had at one time built a house for Virginia, yet she
broke his heart and wed another man. Macrath has no idea what she has suffered in the marriage her father arranged for her nor why she has no ...more

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Dec 27, 2014 Susan rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2014-books-read, historical-romance, romance

I had mixed feelings about this book. Overall, I liked it. The first half was rather slow and a bit hard to stay interested in. The beginning would also have a chapter or two of the present time, then a chapter of flashback for the backstory, another chapter or two in the present, then flashback, etc. This went on for quite a while. I prefer my backstory mostly all at once - the constant back and forth was sometimes hard to follow. Things definitely picked up in the second half and I enjoyed it I had mixed feelings about this book. Overall, I liked it. The first half was rather slow and a bit hard to stay interested in. The beginning would also have a chapter or two of the present time, then a chapter of flashback for the backstory, another chapter or two in the present, then flashback, etc. This went on for quite a while. I prefer my backstory mostly all at once - the constant back and forth was sometimes hard to follow. Things definitely picked up in the second half and I enjoyed it much more at that point.

Virginia was an American heiress, brought to London by her father to marry a man with a title. He didn't care what she wanted, she would basically go to the highest bidder. In the meantime, Virginia had met a Scottish man, a self-made millionaire, who understood her. They would meet at balls or other places where she could escape, and talk about politics, science, literature or anything that caught their fancy. They fell in love, but her father wouldn't even consider Macrath as a suitor. She was forced to marry the earl and forbidden to see or speak to Macrath.

Less than a year later, her husband was dead, and she discovered that all the money she had brought to the marriage had been used to purchase land that was then left to the cousin who inherited the title. Virginia and her mother- and sisters-in-law, were left with nothing unless Virginia had produced a son. Her mother-in-law, whom I DID NOT like at all, convinced her that she needed to quickly find a man who could get her pregnant with a child she could pass off as her husband's. Virginia did not like that idea at all, but could see no other option to keep them from becoming destitute. So she ran off to Scotland to try to seduce Macrath.

Macrath was stunned to see Virginia show up at Drumvagen. He had been unable to forget her after her marriage and had buried himself in his work. He was happy to have her there and hoped to make her want to stay. He was very willing to show her "how it's supposed to be between a man and a woman". After just a few days he's devastated to find out she has no intention of staying in Scotland, but returning to London. They part ways, and he heads off to Australia on business and she returns to London to take care of her family.

Unsurprisingly, she does end up pregnant and has a son, who the world assumes is her husband's. The baby is just a few months old when smallpox sweeps through London and Virginia becomes quite ill. Macrath returns to London about that time, and discovering the truth about the child, takes the baby back to Scotland while Virginia is ill, without telling her. She chases after him before she is fully recovered. When she arrives, he is still furious at her deception and refuses to allow her in the house or to see the baby. Over the next couple weeks she is stuck in a cottage on the estate and still unable to see the baby. By this point, Virginia has finally started to find a backbone and refuses to be kept away. I really enjoyed her determination and seeing what she does.

Over the next few weeks, Macrath begins to soften toward Virginia a little as he sees what a good mother she really is. Virginia also sees Macrath's happiness in being a father. But she still refuses to consider staying in Scotland, determined to keep up the deception and protect her family. It is getting harder for each of them, as their feelings for each other have only gotten stronger. The conflict could have been greatly reduced if she had just told him what the problem was.

Things were also complicated by her late husband's personal assistant, who was obsessed with Virginia. He was determined to have her for himself, and willing to do anything to get her. Over the course of the book he went from creepy to obsessed to dangerous. His appearance in Scotland added a layer of intensity that finally brought Macrath and Virginia together.

Virginia irritated me through most of the book because of her unwillingness to tell Macrath what was going on. She did have redeeming qualities. I liked her determination to take care of her son herself, no turn him over to nannies and we nurses. She was also kind to her in-laws, even though the mother-in-law was a piece of work. I didn't like that woman at all. Virginia was also pretty down-to-earth. She really didn't care about the benefits of the title. But until she became a mother, I found her to be rather a doormat.

Macrath I liked a lot. He made something of himself through his own hard work. He was true to himself, not trying to change to fit in with the aristocracy. I liked the way he treated Virginia like an intelligent human being when they had their discussions in the first part of the book. I completely understood his anger when he found out about the baby. I even understood his actions when Virginia came to Scotland, even though I felt he could have handled things a little better. I liked seeing him soften toward her, and realize that he still wanted her in his life. I thought his pursuit of her was pretty sweet. ...more

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Feb 15, 2013 Lover of Romance rated it really liked it

Shelves: writing-style-stepback-included, pub-2013, writing-style-1st-in-a-series, publisher-avon, character-scientist, setting-scotland, genre-historical-romance, time-england-regency-1811-1820, time-scotland-victorian-era, character-widow-widower

I have really enjoyed this author over the years, and even though I haven't read too many of her books, I was very delighted to get a chance to get a copy of this ARC through Avon and Edelweiss. I think out of all of books I have had the pleasure of reading from this author, this one would be at the top of my list. I would recommend it to anyone, it does have a bit of betrayal and distrust between the couple especially with how they began. However I found that from beginning to end I was enterta I have really enjoyed this author over the years, and even though I haven't read too many of her books, I was very delighted to get a chance to get a copy of this ARC through Avon and Edelweiss. I think out of all of books I have had the pleasure of reading from this author, this one would be at the top of my list. I would recommend it to anyone, it does have a bit of betrayal and distrust between the couple especially with how they began. However I found that from beginning to end I was entertained and there wasn't one moment of boredom. I could honestly conduct a hour or two long conversation about this book, but I wont take that long LOL

It begins with when they first fall in love, they start to slowly court, and their relationship is sweet and tender and innocent. Virginia is a American, and has come to England with her father to find a husband. Macrath has worked hard his whole life to get as accomplished as he is now. When Virginia's father demands that she marry a Count, she realizes that she will have to give up the man she loves. A year later Virginia has just recently become a widow, and according to her mother in law, she must get pregnant immediately. Knowing she has no other choice, she decides to go up to Scotland to find Macrath, and seduce him. Virginia's feelings for him coming washing back the moment she is back in his arms and then leaves him again. Macrath isn't one to be used, or to give his heart twice to the same woman. So he decided to leave for a while, and heads down to Australia for a year. When he returns he decides to visit Virginia on a impulse, but he finds that she is barely recovering from a deathly sickness, and finds out that he has a son, that she never told him about. So deciding to turn the table on her, and before Virginia knows it she is chasing after Macrath, only to find herself in a situation where she could lose herself in him, and doesn't know if she could have the strength to leave or stay with him forever.

The Devil of Clan Sinclair is quite a sensational story that swept me off my feet. I loved how their sweet romance turns into a vital love story where the focus is about the love that lasts. This couple goes through quite a bit of hurdles, and at first I didn't like Virginia, I had a hard time getting used to her character. She seemed to me to be the type that would be not willing to fight for who you love. She seems to be lacking some spine, she could have been a bit more bolder. However I had no issues with Macrath, he never gave up on Virginia no matter how much she hurt him. I loved his strength and perseverance. In the end though, I enjoyed seeing how the story plays out, and it ended up be a endearing story that won my heart over in the end!! A story I would recommend to anyone that enjoys a sensually filled romance that is bound to endear you. ...more

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Jan 21, 2014 Kristina rated it it was ok

Shelves: romance-novels, 2014-goal-55, reading-challenge-a-z-2014

I had a lot of issues with this book, and this review does contain spoilers.

First off, I don't normally harp on a title, but I can't for the life of me figure out why this book is titled as it is: The Devil of Clan Sinclair. I always try to read a historical book from the perspective of the time period, and in that respect, women had very little rights and men had dominance over the women and children in their lives. Yes, that sucks, I agree. Within the historical setting though, the only thing ...more

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Feb 01, 2014 Aly is so frigging bored rated it liked it

Shelves: historical, hh-highlanders

Buddy read with Layla ...more

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May 15, 2013 Lady Wesley rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: amz-rev, arc, must-have-heir, arc-rev

3.5 stars.

This book is the first in a planned series called “Clan Sinclair,” but you won’t find kilts or bagpipes or wee bonnie lasses in this mid-Victorian setting. Macrath Sinclair is a Scotsman who has worked his way up from newsboy to prosperous owner of a printing business in Edinburgh. Macrath also is an inventor, and he’s trying to perfect an ice machine; this aspect of the story is based upon the work of James Harrison, a Scottish-born Australian who wanted to develop refrigeration for t 3.5 stars.

This book is the first in a planned series called “Clan Sinclair,” but you won’t find kilts or bagpipes or wee bonnie lasses in this mid-Victorian setting. Macrath Sinclair is a Scotsman who has worked his way up from newsboy to prosperous owner of a printing business in Edinburgh. Macrath also is an inventor, and he’s trying to perfect an ice machine; this aspect of the story is based upon the work of James Harrison, a Scottish-born Australian who wanted to develop refrigeration for transporting beef from Australia to England.

When he accompanies his sister to London for the Season, he meets and falls in love with American heiress Virginia Anderson. Virginia has been brought to London by her high-handed father, who wants a British title in the family and who finds Macrath unsuitable for his daughter. Before she knows what is happening, Virginia is betrothed and quickly married to Lawrence Traylor, Earl of Barrett, and Macrath is back at his Scottish estate, Drumvagen.

Within six months of her marriage, Lawrence, who always had been sickly, dies, leaving Virginia to live with his mother, Enid, and his sisters, Eudora and Ellice. The title, and all of Virginia’s fortune, will go to Lawrence’s ungenerous cousin – unless Virginia produces an heir. Enid urges her to find some gentleman who will help her do so. And quickly. The only man upon whom Virginia can call is Macrath, so immediately after the funeral she and her maid hie off to Scotland.

Macrath is shocked when Virginia shows up on his doorstep, but he shows surprisingly little curiosity about her sudden visit. She is heartbroken to learn that Macrath had written her and tried to see her but been turned away by her (now deceased) father. Virginia confesses how she was forced into marrying by her father and what a miserable marriage she had. Virginia’s mother-in-law had told her that seduction would not be difficult. “All you need do is suggest your willingness and the male will do the rest.” And that’s pretty much what happens.

Macrath and Virginia are as much in love as ever. He asks her to stay with him, but she cannot even though she wants to. She feels a deep responsibility to her surviving family members, who will be penniless if her scheme fails. When she returns to London after only a couple of days, Macrath sets off for Australia, where he’s entered a competition to test refrigeration techniques for transporting beef. During the many months that he’s gone, Virginia gives birth to a son and the title appears to be secured.

During his successful voyage back to London, Macrath decides to set aside his wounded pride, so he sets out immediately to see Virginia and ask her to marry him. After barging his way into Virginia’s house, Macrath discovers from the servants that she is ill with smallpox, but that “the child” is healthy. The child? Suddenly Macrath knows everything, and he is furious. He immediately packs up the baby, the wet nurse, and the nursemaid and takes them all to Scotland.

Although not yet fully recovered, Virginia follows Macrath to Drumvagen, but he won’t even let her in the house. What follows is a war of wits and will between Virginia and Macrath over this tiny beloved baby. It is an complex, angst-ridden story, given that these two people both love and hate one another, and their route to an HEA is neither smooth nor predictable.

I adore Karen Ranney’s writing, but I have two problems with this book. In the first third of the book, the time repeatedly shifts between the past and present. I found this distracting and at times confusing. Second, the solution to most of Macrath’s and Virginia’s problems seems obvious if the pair would only communicate honestly with one another. Of course, then this novel would be only a short story, so I suggest that the reader just roll with it and enjoy the interplay between this luscious hero and his devoted heroine.
...more

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Oct 19, 2016 Alina rated it it was ok

Shelves: romance, historical

Also reviewed for Alina Melinda's Reads.
I have an odd déjà vu feeling with this one. The plot of this book seems oddly familiar to me. It might be because I may have :

a ) read another book with similar story line
b ) I started reading this book a while back but got bored and gave up on it.

Now b) is unlikely to happen as I never drop a book , no matter how boring it is I force myself in reading it until I'm done. Also I came across this book on Amazon and simply purchased it out of curiosity- I d Also reviewed for Alina Melinda's Reads.
I have an odd déjà vu feeling with this one. The plot of this book seems oddly familiar to me. It might be because I may have :

a ) read another book with similar story line
b ) I started reading this book a while back but got bored and gave up on it.

Now b) is unlikely to happen as I never drop a book , no matter how boring it is I force myself in reading it until I'm done. Also I came across this book on Amazon and simply purchased it out of curiosity- I didn't had it on my to-read list on GR.

Now to get to the point.
Don't you just love an unnecessary conflict that could have been resolved in five minutes ? All they had to do was to COMMUNICATE . Virginia is forced to marry a man she didn't loved, however, her husband was very ill and died shortly after. Now Virginia is desperate to find a way to save her family (and by "family" I mean her mother-in-law and the rest of the relatives of the defunct husband). During her short marriage she never stopped thinking about Macrath , a Scottish (rich) inventor who made all the needed preparations for them to start a happy life together.
To explain more detailed : Virginia and her husband were unable to conceive a child during their marriage, so without an official heir all of their wealth goes out the window (her husband's cousin inherited the title) , forcing Virginia to either work (so she can support herself and the rest of the women in the family) or marry a rich guy.
You can easily guess what Virginia did.
Of course she went to Scotland to find Macrath, her true love and sweetheart. Macrath never understood why Virginia got married to another guy and soon he will find out how miserable her marriage truly was. Virginia's father played both of them. Sure, now they try to get over their prides and they try to fix whatever can be fixed, their relationship goes back and forth because the lack of communication. And they are not being completely truthful either.
The characters of this story are overly dramatic, you either love them or you hate them.
I personally hate Virginia.
I understood how tragic it was for her , being forced to marry a man she didn't love and all that; but I never understood why the hell she tried to get pregnant with a child so she could pass him off as her husband's and inherit the wealth.
Yep, that is what our heroine did. She went to Scotland to seduce her childhood sweetheart , get pregnant and then leave Macrath . Which she did. Had Macrath' son. And left Macrtah all by himself while she returned home and made everyone believe that the boy is her late husbands.
Seriously now, I'm so pissed off on this book ! This girl has no backbone and please, please don't talk to me about true love !!I can't wrap my head around her way of thinking. Her husband was death. She was young and finally free to marry her sweetheart - who was RICH enough to support her and her family - but she ended up backstabbing him.
The only thing that I enjoyed in this book was Macrath's revenge over Virginia.
...more

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Dec 13, 2012 Atunah rated it really liked it

Shelves: european-historical-romance, historical-romance, scottish, library-kindle-book-bpl, new-releases-2013, read-2014, zchk

I am never let down by Ranney.

In this one the hero and the heroine have to overcome quite some obstacles to be together. They meet and fall almost instantly in love, but her father a wealthy american, wants a title for his daughter and is not about to let her marry a Scot.

So they are apart with her married to someone else. Hero is an inventor of an ice machine and pines for her.

She then blows back into his life as a widow and then the even bigger problems between them start. She does somet ...more

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Jul 24, 2013 Kay (aka) Miss Bates rated it did not like it

Reading this romance novel was a chore, a grin and bear it kind of reading experience. There is not much to like about the hero or heroine. Macrath Sinclair, neither devil nor laird, isn't a bad guy, but his smarmy manner makes him distinctly unsympathetic. At best, he's a nonentity. The heroine, Virginia, is worse; her pretend innocence masks machinations that are ethically compromising. The servants, on the other hand, are quite likable and well-drawn characters. However, when a reader is enam ...more

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Sep 04, 2013 Farrah rated it really liked it

Super sweet and lovely romance! The Devil of Clan Sinclair was a wonderful historical romance. It was sweet, steamy, and a fantastic read. Loved it!

Virginia was a good heroine. On one hand, I really liked that she was a strong character, in that she was so determined to take care of her family. And, for the most part, she was a likable heroine. But, sometimes, I just got so frustrated with her. For example, it was unfair of her that, when she knew Macrath had been in love with her, she went to h Super sweet and lovely romance! The Devil of Clan Sinclair was a wonderful historical romance. It was sweet, steamy, and a fantastic read. Loved it!

Virginia was a good heroine. On one hand, I really liked that she was a strong character, in that she was so determined to take care of her family. And, for the most part, she was a likable heroine. But, sometimes, I just got so frustrated with her. For example, it was unfair of her that, when she knew Macrath had been in love with her, she went to him to get pregnant. Didn't she consider that it would be like pouring salt on a wound, since she was planning to leave him? And, also, how she expected Macrath to just give up his child. In the beginning, it was wrong of her to hide his son from him. That wasn't fair. Then, I don't understand how she expected Macrath to give his son up. She knew that he was the kind of honorable, loving man who would never abandon his child. And she loved him for that. So, why did she expect him to do the opposite of his nature? It was frustrating. But, though I did get annoyed with her, it wasn't enough to make me dislike her. I still thought she was a lovely heroine. I just wanted to shake some sense into her a few times.

Macrath was perfect. I had absolutely no complaints about him. He was so sweet and wonderful and adorable. He literally had no flaws. He was amazing and I adored him.

The romance was sweet and steamy. Despite their first relationship having been torn apart by Virginia's forced marriage, they were still in love with each other. I thought it was so sweet that, after a year, they were still totally in love. And, there was a ton of chemistry between them. Made even more intense by their time apart. I thought they were a lovely couple.

The plot was fast paced and I was hooked the entire way through. I really enjoyed the story. It was so sweet. And the ending was wonderful. It definitely left a smile of my face when I finished the book.

The Devil of Clan Sinclair was a wonderful historical romance. I really enjoyed this book. It was sweet and lovely and just brilliant! Lovers of romance, this is a book you'll want to check out.

*I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review ...more

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Apr 18, 2013 Pam rated it really liked it

I am a sucker for anything that has Clan in the title, I love those highlanders as they lord over the Scottish lands. This is an enjoyable story about betrayal, loss and renewed love.

Macrath Sinclair and Virginia were in love and as soon as she could convince her father, they were going to marry. Unfortunately her father was not going to let her marry a man from the highlands who is without a title. Instead her father marries her to an older man with health problems that took his anger out on t I am a sucker for anything that has Clan in the title, I love those highlanders as they lord over the Scottish lands. This is an enjoyable story about betrayal, loss and renewed love.

Macrath Sinclair and Virginia were in love and as soon as she could convince her father, they were going to marry. Unfortunately her father was not going to let her marry a man from the highlands who is without a title. Instead her father marries her to an older man with health problems that took his anger out on those around him. He dies less than a year later and leaves his wife, mother and sister, penniless.

In order to survive, Virginia needs an heir and she knows just the man who could help her. She travels to Scotland and is welcome with some reservations by Macrath but he forgives her and they spend some wonderful nights together. Yet she still leaves him. He goes off to Australia with his invention, an ice machine that preserves food and returns a year later to find London in turmoil because of Small Pox.
When he hears Virginia is sick he goes to visit only to find out he has a son, without hesitation he whisks his son back to Scotland, and that is when the battle begins.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and as this is the first in the series, look forward to reading more. I had such feelings for Macrath, as he is first hurt when she marries without telling him why, then when she comes for help she does not tell him her problems and of course the worst one is when she withholds his son from him. He just pulls at your heartstrings.

I know Virginia had her issues, she did not want to be forced to marry and when she is free she does not go to Macrath with her heart, instead she deceives him. I know she did not have many choices but I wish she could have confided in him. I did like the chemistry between them and thought they fit well together. Both of them were stubborn and strong willed which is probably why it took them so long to forgive and find the happiness they deserve.

I will definitely be continuing the series and look forward to more.

Copy from publisher through Edelweiss for an honest review
...more

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Aug 23, 2013 Janga rated it liked it

Did you ever read a book and know that you are just not the audience for it? That was my position with this book. I don’t share the passion many of my friends have for Scottish romances, I like strong heroines, I prefer understated drama to the spectacular, and I’m a tough sale for the impregnated-by-another-man plot. The Devil of Clan Sinclair is a well-written book, overflowing with high drama and passion and a truly creepy villain. I have no doubt that some readers will love it. I didn’t.

I st ...more

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Mar 13, 2014 Elis Madison rated it liked it

Shelves: add-a-half-star

Virginia’s rich American daddy took her to England to buy a husband. She falls for Macrath Sinclair, but her daddy looks down his long rich nose at tradesmen—nothing but a title will do. And Virginia is not the kind of gal who fights for herself.

So she ends up marrying the sickly Earl of Barrett, who is not a happy guy.

He proceeds to deliberately blow all her money so that when he dies he will leave her and his mother and sisters penniless. He does some other not-so-nice things but I don’t wan ...more

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Apr 04, 2013 Tracy Emro rated it it was amazing

OMG! No one and I mean no one writes angst and heart wrenching anguish better than Karen Ranney. Seriously, no one!

I loved this story. Macrath is the hero every woman secretly hopes to find. That's another thing Ms Ranney writes well - heroes who love from the depths of their souls with steadfast devotion. Sigh.....

Virginia was not my favorite heroine, but she redeemed herself in the end and I never doubted her love for Macrath. I didn't understand why she did the things she did and made the cho ...more

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Aug 11, 2013 Rinou rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013, historical, 4-stars-excellent

I really liked the characters, they are logical, realistic, and engaging. I liked that the hidden truths are revealed quite quickly, without causing big misunderstanding. The rhythm was slow (as are all the books I read by KR) and pleasant as speed wasn't needed for this story. The plot is original and well done, but I admit to being frustrated not to know (view spoiler) (perhaps because I like romantic suspense so much, I wanted a "clean" endin ...more

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Mar 31, 2014 ᑭᑌᑎƳᗩ [Punya Reviews...] rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: sweetnsexy-beta, highlander-scot, frustration-alert, bitch-slap-coming-through, karen-ranney

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. My review contains spoilers and they're mostly my thoughts as I went with the book... for more, visit Punya Reviews...

It was rather on impulse that I started reading The Devil of Clan Sinclair by Karen Ranney, book 1 of Clan Sinclair series. Never read anything by her before, but I dig anything that says ‘Highlander and Scottish’, so... um no surprise that I caved. I loved the author’s writing style, even with the narratives going back and forth into the past and the present. However, can’t say ...more

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Feb 16, 2020 dumbells rated it did not like it

I…. do not remember how this book ultimately ended… There was some more kidnapping in the end (like 50% of the book is that, people getting kidnapped) and the servants realized they shared deep abiding love, same as their masters and then…. They got off the ship? Did they go back to his castle? Did she bring all her destitute relatives and mother in love to live with her at her new hubbies place? I got no clue.

I remember the beginning and the craziness here and oh boy the drama. And just how co I…. do not remember how this book ultimately ended… There was some more kidnapping in the end (like 50% of the book is that, people getting kidnapped) and the servants realized they shared deep abiding love, same as their masters and then…. They got off the ship? Did they go back to his castle? Did she bring all her destitute relatives and mother in love to live with her at her new hubbies place? I got no clue.

I remember the beginning and the craziness here and oh boy the drama. And just how conflicted the h was over luring the hero into a baby trap and not telling him about the kid and then suddenly the hero flips in his resentment of the heroine and resolved to seduce her? Wut. What is this? How to flip a relationship and everyone’s feelings in 2 chess moves or less?

I guess I never got attached to these two here. Maybe the supporting characters could have been ok, the servants being loyal and also respectful of their masters while at the same time falling in love if that had had a bit more page time. Instead we get the whole baby drama, and looking for the baby, and lamenting she can’t bring the baby with her and then being sorry the baby doesn’t know her father and on and on it goes… JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER ALREADY.

They spent so much time in their head (the heroine) and talking to everyone else about their partner and their intentions for their partner (the hero) that they really just needed to get their act together that share one open conversation except for that quazy-moment when they were both in the water at the end… I guess it just did not register untimely at all as I remembered nothing from what followed from that point on.

All there was in all drama centered books was just their preconceived notions about one another and them reacting based on what they expected the other person to react as or surprised they did not react like that and not knowing what to do with that info. Just a lot of pre-reactions that served no one any good and just muddled the water of the whole story. I don’t know why the author thought it would be a fitting avenue to use, maybe cuz it’s Historical romance and that is what other’s have used? I guess something new and different would have been better other than a heroine that actually cared about her babe unlike the other ladies of the time and did not care the hero was a Scot and bla bla bla.

Seen it.

Read it.

Heard it.

Over it.
...more

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Mar 28, 2020 Brittany Torres (Everyone Needs Bibliotherapy) rated it liked it

Okay, I think I bought this book, because it has “devil” in the title. The storyline is kind of crazy! Virginia is an American heiress who has been brought to England to find a husband. She meets Macrath Sinclair, a wealthy self made man and they fall in love. Her father refuses to let her marry him and instead makes her marry an Earl. Her husband is sickly, but is also mean and treats Virginia and the rest of his family horribly. He dies one year into their marriage. He intentionally leaves his ...more

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Aug 19, 2020 Kate rated it liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Apr 09, 2022 Rox rated it liked it

Overall, I enjoyed this one: good steam level and the angst was at a manageable level (as in, it didn't leave me emotionally paralyzed for a time).

*contains spoilers*

Tropes include:
✅ Second chance
✅ Secret baby
✅ Rags to riches hero

This was the first historical I've read where the heroine takes steps to get pregnant with an heir in order to not get thrown out of her dead husband's house. I admired Virginia's big heart - how she wanted to do this in order to save her MIL and sisters in law. Still, ...more

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Jun 14, 2018 Sandy Frediani rated it really liked it

Maybe it's because I read this on the heels of another Karen Ranney book - The English Duke - that I find this with a bit too much internal dialogue. However the interplay between Macrath and Virginia is well done, especially when involving Elliot/Alistair. The ending leaves me wondering if we're going to run into Paul Henderson in the future. It wouldn't surprise me. One last thought, because it isn't explained - Enid's obsession with names beginning with E. All in all, another good book. ...more

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Mar 22, 2020 Margaret rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

The power of love

Virginia Taylor met the man of her dreams in London her first year of coming out. Before Macrath could offer for her, she was given to another man. This is no light reading. The pain and anguish this couple endures will suck you into the story. I couldn't rate this anything else but 5 STARS. ...more

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May 25, 2020 Elizabeth rated it it was ok

Shelves: historical-romance

I rarely rate books down but I really had no choice here.
Problems
- the ‘devil’ moniker makes no sense
- the heroine’s actions don’t make sense
- a conversation could have solved all the problems
- the relationship makes little sense

I do appreciate the action and excitement in the book but it doesn’t all come together onto a good story.

2.5 stars

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May 07, 2017 Mikka rated it it was ok · review of another edition

This was a very slow read, the plot dragged too much for me I had to force myself to finish it.

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Jun 21, 2017 Rhonda rated it liked it

Shelves: nook, 2017-read

Good story but a little predictable.

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Sep 19, 2017 Pamela rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Great read

Loved the characters and the plot.
Cant wait to read the next book. Ranney is one of my favorite authors.

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Nov 28, 2018 Loren rated it it was ok

Ugh the characters were dislikeable and the plot just felt so wrong. And the fact that the villain still got away with it left the plot empty.

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Dec 11, 2018 Marie rated it really liked it

Would have given it 4.5 stars if I could. Well-written, but started getting long toward the end.

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Jan 23, 2020 Jennifer rated it it was amazing

Karen Ranney never disappoints. I love the banter between Macrath and Virginia. Well written with amazing detail to characters. I was able to place myself in the places and times.

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topics	posts	views	last activity
Romance Novel Boo...: SOLVED. Hero takes child he didn’t know he had	3	47	Aug 21, 2018 08:34AM
Sinopsis en Español // Synopsis in Spanish	1	1	Mar 02, 2015 05:41AM

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About Karen Ranney

Karen Ranney

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I’m a writer who’s been privileged to have attained the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller Lists.

Although I've primarily written historical romance, I've also written contemporary romantic suspense, a murder mystery, and I'm having a wonderful time writing about a vampire who is being challenged by her new state of being. (The Montgomery Chronicles: The Fertile Vampire and The Reluctant Godd ...more