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In Your Wildest Scottish Dreams

(MacIain #1)

Karen Ranney

3.57 · Rating details · 582 ratings · 73 reviews

New York Times bestselling author Karen Ranney's first novel in a brand-new series spins the intriguing story of a beautiful widow and a devilishly handsome shipbuilder

Seven years have passed since Glynis MacIain made the foolish mistake of declaring her love to Lennox Cameron, only to have him stare at her dumbfounded. Heartbroken, she accepted the proposal of a diplomat ...more

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Mass Market Paperback, 355 pages

Published January 27th 2015 by Avon

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Nov 18, 2014 Carole (Carole's Random Life) rated it really liked it

Shelves: reviewed, romance, edelweiss, 2015

This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life.

4.5 Stars!

This book was one of the best historical romances that I have read in a very long time. I read a large variety of books and I really like to mix things up so I don't read all that many historical romances anymore. Historical romance can sometimes be a little bit predictable but that did not apply to this book at all. This book made me question why I don't read historical romances more often.

This book is set in Scotland during the t This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life.

4.5 Stars!

This book was one of the best historical romances that I have read in a very long time. I read a large variety of books and I really like to mix things up so I don't read all that many historical romances anymore. Historical romance can sometimes be a little bit predictable but that did not apply to this book at all. This book made me question why I don't read historical romances more often.

This book is set in Scotland during the time of the American Civil War. As I read this book, I realized that I never gave a lot of thought as to how an American War would have impacted other areas of the world. I think that the Civil War and its impact on Scotland added a very interesting element to the book.

Glynis has always had feelings for Lennox but when she hears that he has plans to marry she leaves her homeland heartbroken. She soon finds herself married and living overseas in the United States. After seven years she returns to Scotland after the death of her husband. Her feelings for Lennox have never changed.

Lennox is still very single and has never married. He now runs his family's shipbuilding company with ships high in demand during this time of war. Lennox is one of those men who seem to be able to fix everything and he worries about a man trying to get close to Glynis.

The chemistry between the pair was wonderful and I loved that this couple actually talked to each other. Glynis was a little hesitant to share her past with Lennox but she comes around eventually. I loved the secondary characters in this book, Glynis's mother, the town busybody, and Lucy all added to the story even though I often wanted to slap them because of the way that they acted.

When faced with difficulties, Glynis and Lennox met them head on. Glynis's reaction to the rumors being spread was simply priceless. There were a few really touching scenes in this book as well a well developed mystery and action.

I would highly recommend this book to fans of historical romance. I have previously read a novella by Karen Ranney but this is the first full length book by that author that I have had a chance to read. I definitely plan to read more books by Karen Ranney in the future.

I received a copy of this book from Avon Books via Edelweiss for the purpose of providing an honest review.
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Nov 17, 2014 Lady Wesley rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, rhr, arc-rev, amz-rev, rhr-update, hero-not-a-duke, history-real

Once when you were mine
I remember skies
Reflected in your eyes
I wonder where you are
I wonder if you
Think about me
Once upon a time
In your wildest dreams.b

As I read this book, I kept thinking of the Moody Blues' lovely ballad "Once Upon a Time.” Later I read on Karen Ranney's website that the song's lyrics reminded her of Glynis and Lennox's story and inspired this book's title.

Karen Ranney delivers a passionate second-chance romance, international espionage, and a solid history lesson in her late Once when you were mine
I remember skies
Reflected in your eyes
I wonder where you are
I wonder if you
Think about me
Once upon a time
In your wildest dreams.b

As I read this book, I kept thinking of the Moody Blues' lovely ballad "Once Upon a Time.” Later I read on Karen Ranney's website that the song's lyrics reminded her of Glynis and Lennox's story and inspired this book's title.

Karen Ranney delivers a passionate second-chance romance, international espionage, and a solid history lesson in her latest book. The story takes place in Glasgow, Scotland, but the events of the American Civil War loom large in the background of Glynis and Lennox's lives.

After several years in Washington, D.C., with her diplomat husband, recently widowed Glynis has returned to Glasgow to find that the once-prosperous family mills are suffering because the Union blockade of southern ports is preventing shipments of cotton from leaving America. Her brother, Duncan, searches for a solution, but he is on the verge of having to close down. On the other hand, his best friend Lennox's shipyard is thriving by building swift blockade runners for the confederates. As he would with a real brother, Lennox would like to help, but Duncan's pride will not allow for that.

And then, after disappearing from Glasgow for seven years, Glynis walks into a reception honoring Lennox's father. Lennox finds her changed from the "irrepressible” girl he had known. She is still beautiful, but "she's brittle. Very polite, excessively so. She smiles at you but her eyes are flat.” But Lennox is intrigued, and attracted, and he is not going to allow Glynis to ignore him. The more she tries to pull away, the more determined is his pursuit.

Glynis is a sympathetic heroine who let her girlish humiliation lead her into a quick marriage to an acceptable man she barely knew. Although he dies before our story begins, Ranney gives the reader a vivid description of an obsequious toady at work who becomes a petty tyrant at home. He molded her into the perfect diplomat's wife, but in doing so he almost destroyed the real Glynis. (She is deeply ashamed of some things she did in America, and her secret leads to complications with Duncan. I didn't entirely buy into this, but that may just be my modern sensibility.)

Lennox is a delicious hero: handsome and rich, of course, but devoted to his family and in a way rather lonely. Their interactions are fun to watch, and the romance is very satisfying.

Ranney has populated this world with vividly drawn secondary characters. There is the visiting American planter Gavin Anderson, a Confederate blockade runner full of charm and bonhomie (think Rhett Butler) and his English wife Lucy who constantly complains about everything in Scotland. Glynis's girlhood friend Charlotte, and her family, portray the snobbery of Glasgow society and are almost comical in their awfulness. Sinister American Matthew Bauman, whom Glynis knew in Washington, lurks in the shadows and may be a spy. Or a saboteur. Or a murderer.

Which brings me back to the history. Great Britain was officially neutral during the American Civil War, but Scots engineering and business ingenuity helped the Confederacy sustain the war effort while London turned a blind eye. Shipbuilders along Glasgow's River Clyde were said to have employed 25,000 men and boys during this time. Vast fortunes were made, and Glasgow was full of spies from both the Union and the Confederacy. Sabotage of ships under construction was a constant worry. At the same time, Scotland's mills were suffering from a lack of cotton, and the arms in/cotton out blockade runners were practically the only way to get keep the mills running. Even so, the cotton-spinning industries never recovered from the effects of the war. (And did you know that the magnificent Clydesdale horses that we American love to watch in beer commercials were bred to haul lumber and supplies for the Clydeside industries?)

This is what I love about reading historical romance: the ingenious use of real history as a backdrop for stories of love, and Ranney excels in this. Of course, the love affair between Glynis and Duncan is the main story, and it is not overshadowed by the history. But the secondary plots – gossip, blackmail, bankruptcy, spying, sabotage, snobbery, and murder – keep this intricate story humming along nicely. The structure and pacing are excellent; I kept turning the page to find out what would happen next. What more can a reader ask for?

...more

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May 28, 2018 Katherine rated it did not like it

Shelves: adult, bloody-awful, romance, historical-fiction, scotland, bored-to-tears, historical-romance

”Lennox Cameron resembled a prince and a devastating Highlander and he’d been the hero of most of her childish dreams.

No longer, however. Too much had happened in the intervening years.

She had grown up.”

Well, butter my butt and call me a Sassenach, but I never though a historical romance could be so… boring.

Glynis Maclain has been in love with her brother’s best friend for as long as she can remember. So when she finally plucks up the courage to plant one on Lennox Cameron, she becomes utte ...more

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Mar 24, 2022 Jenn (The Book Refuge) rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-romance, 2022-read

This was pleasant enough. Great narration and a good story. Brother's Best Friend and a second chance romance. More like a romance that never quite came to be when they were young.

It was a very slow burn though and I was bored with the plot in a few ways.

4 Stars
2.5 on the spice scale. (There wasn't much spice but they were.... very hot when it happened.) ...more

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Feb 14, 2016 Zoe rated it did not like it · review of another edition

I have tried to read Karen Ranney's books several times, always ended up being disappointed. I don't think I have given more than 1 1-star review to a writer before. This is my second for Karen Ranney. I don't know how one could tell a story like she does. Going here and there and everywhere without a clear aim of what needs to be achieved in the chapter.

She has a lot of secondary characters and the lead characters are as character-less as water. They simply have no taste. Glynis and Lennox had ...more

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Feb 15, 2015 Ilze rated it did not like it

Shelves: dnf, karen-ranney

Could not get very far with this one. The story takes place during the American Civil War and the Civil War is an important component of the story, even though it is nominally set in Scotland. The hero builds ships to break the Union blockade of Confederate ports, and is basically on the side of the South. The bad guy works for the Union government. Ranney describes the hero as "disliking" slavery - at this point I had to set the book away (throw it away, in fact)! Ummm, no, there is no "liking" ...more

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May 19, 2015 sraxe rated it did not like it

Shelves: adult, 1-star, written-review, scotland, third-person, historical, romance, second-chance-romance, unrequited-love, hero-heroine-widowed

This book was such a chore to get through because it was so boring. I kept hoping things would pick up but they never did. I don't think that top shelf for it should be historical romance because this book was about the mill and the shipyard and the American Civil War and the romance was simply a subplot. The American Civil War is the centre of the story -- even though it's happening an ocean away and there's no one from the story directly involved in it. Oh, and nearly ever single person the re This book was such a chore to get through because it was so boring. I kept hoping things would pick up but they never did. I don't think that top shelf for it should be historical romance because this book was about the mill and the shipyard and the American Civil War and the romance was simply a subplot. The American Civil War is the centre of the story -- even though it's happening an ocean away and there's no one from the story directly involved in it. Oh, and nearly ever single person the reader meets gets a scene from their POV so that just took away even more from the romance aspect.

The writing of the book lacks any and all emotion. There's no payoff or emotional impact from events that the reader should be looking forward to. I say should because the preceding scenes leading up to these events are written so dispassionately that the reader isn't really left looking forward to anything.

The synopsis sounded like there was going to be some major emotional payoff but nope! There was absolutely none, in my opinion. At the end of the prologue, Glynis leaves Scotland for America. And, then, at the beginning of the first chapter, she's already been back in Scotland for a week. The other issue with the prologue is that the reader doesn't develop a connection to the characters so there's no real emotional impact when she gets her heart broken and leaves. All of the major plot points were dealt with in this way -- no emotion. Whether it's her departure and return, her past in America and even the proposal, marriage and the I Love Yous. There's no buildup to these events and no emotion and it all just kind of happens. I thought there'd be more to their eventual relationship but the book ends up concentrating more on events to do with the mill and shipyard and the war than the relationship between Glynis and Lennox. I blame the author's writing on this because she doesn't write so the reader develops a connection to her characters.

In a romance novel, it's pretty much a given that the two protagonists will be getting an HEA...which is why the journey to getting there is fun to read. In this book, you wonder how they'll get there..only for them to think, think, think...and then be kind of forced together due to circumstances. They spent seven years apart and, once she's back, there's absolutely no courtship or a build-up of a romantic relationship between them -- things just happen and then they're married. Even at their damn wedding, Glynis is getting distracted. She starts musing on other things and her thoughts are only brought back to the ceremony when Lennox tells her "We're married" and she says "oh." I agree with the other reviews that say they tread the same thought territory over and over because the author does. It's so damn repetitive and boring.

The story is also dragged out because the I Love Yous don't happen immediately. I don't understand why Lennox holds back on saying it because, unlike Glynis, he's already aware of her feelings because Duncan tells him. He also had absolutely nothing to lose at this point because they're getting married and there's no reason not to do so...oh, other than the author just wanting to drag things out. Glynis also does Lennox wrong because she doesn't tell him the truth before she marries him. It's not fair to him considering something as serious and permanent as marriage.

There were also a lot of things that were left unanswered at the end or just plain annoyed me. Why did Glynis take nearly two years to return to Scotland after Richard's death? She said her voyage was paid for legation, so it's not like she had to work to earn the money for passage. Glynis keeps thinking about the "paces" Richard put her through...but what were they? As a whole, the entire seven years are basically skipped over and her life in Cairo and Washington is completely tell and no show. Also, the rumours about Lidia that sent Glynis packing in the first place? Lennox is surprised by them, while Eleanor, Glynis's mother, said they were all over the place. Were that the case, wouldn't Lennox have heard about them??? Someone would've mentioned them to him. Oh, and the sudden mention of Lennox's mother at the end? What was the point of that? Duncan also completely disappears part way through and the mill, which was a major issue in the beginning, is forgotten (other than a draft Glynis passes to Duncan through her mother). I thought Glynis was serving as Duncan's bookkeeper?? She serves like one day and it's never mentioned again. ...more

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Dec 03, 2014 Lover of Romance rated it really liked it

Shelves: publisher-avon, genre-historical-romance, time-england-regency-1811-1820

Glynis Maclain once loved Lennox Cameron, but when he didn’t return her love, she married
someone else and left her home, and went to America, and her life changed forever. She is now a widow, and has finally returned to her home, to her family, but she is determined to not let Lennox break her heart again. Lennox is a shipbuilder, and very successful, but has never married, because there has only been one woman who has held his heart…Glynis. Now that she has returned, a widow, he is bound to sh Glynis Maclain once loved Lennox Cameron, but when he didn’t return her love, she married
someone else and left her home, and went to America, and her life changed forever. She is now a widow, and has finally returned to her home, to her family, but she is determined to not let Lennox break her heart again. Lennox is a shipbuilder, and very successful, but has never married, because there has only been one woman who has held his heart…Glynis. Now that she has returned, a widow, he is bound to show her what they can be together, but only if Glynis will let go of past hurts and betrayals and open herself up for love again…
What I loved most? Everything…hehe I know I know…but I truly loved this one, and what a great beginning to a new series. I really can’t tell you the exact name of the series yet, since that has yet to be revealed, so I have just guessed that it is about “Scottish Dreams” and the second book comes out this spring, which I am very excited about. Karen Ranney is such a wonderful author, and her talent in creating romances is beyond superb. As I am sure you know, Ranney writes her books centered on a Highlander theme, and this book is more in the Regency era. We also see aspects of the civil war, and I loved having that aspect. Its not a major element to the plot, but the certain qualities of it add a certain depth to the story you don’t expect to see. And the supposed villain, kinda turns out to be not what you really expect, and I loved seeing the varying aspects that combine this one into a winning romance that won my attention from beginning to end.
The characters in this story are truly unique and I found their personalities to compliment the plot really well and in ways that surprised me. Lennox Cameron, is quite successful and goes after what he wants. He is a fabulous hero, but I felt like the story focused more on Glynis than it did on Lennox. We see more inside depth on her character, and of her past a bit, and how her previous marriage changed her, but what I also liked is how this story really implements the self discovery of herself even more than you expect, and I liked seeing her inner strength show more, and we see how she is a great match for Lennox. Even though we don’t see as much of his character as we do of Glynis, we do see his struggles a bit, and how their personalities really mesh together in a way that is just wonderful.

This love story is quite a winner for me, I had so much fun with these two, and boy do they know how to add conflict to their relationsip, and they don’t make it easy on themselves and just admit their feelings to each other…oh no they have to do this long mating ritual, but the final outcome is definitely worth the wait. Overall I enjoyed how the different elements of the story come together in the end, for a full satisfying read that will captivate you. A STELLAR ROMANCE!! ...more

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Feb 03, 2015 Rose Blue rated it really liked it

4.5 Stars

Glynis Smythe has adored Lennox Cameron, her older brother’s best friend and their neighbor for her whole life. At the age of five, she claimed him as hers. At nineteen, she decided it was time to make her move. She summoned him to meet her in a private room, where she threw her arms around him and kissed him. Lennox is at first stunned, then as he begins to respond, they are interrupted by a lady who would prefer to keep Lennox for herself. Still bemused, Lennox allows himself to be le 4.5 Stars

Glynis Smythe has adored Lennox Cameron, her older brother’s best friend and their neighbor for her whole life. At the age of five, she claimed him as hers. At nineteen, she decided it was time to make her move. She summoned him to meet her in a private room, where she threw her arms around him and kissed him. Lennox is at first stunned, then as he begins to respond, they are interrupted by a lady who would prefer to keep Lennox for herself. Still bemused, Lennox allows himself to be led away, not realizing that Glynis would take that as rejection. When Glynis hears rumors that there is an imminent engagement between Lennox and this same lady, she takes off for London. There she meets an aspiring diplomat, who feels she could be molded into the perfect hostess for him. He proposes a businesslike marriage, and Glynis, never wanting to have to face Lennox and his soon-to-be wife, accepts. They are wed immediately and leave for America.

Now, seven years later, widowed, and without any means of support, Glynis returns home to Scotland. The rumors of Lennox’s impending marriage were just that – rumors. He is still single. When Lennox sees Glynis for the first time in seven years, he notices several things. First of all, she’s more beautiful than ever, but her joy and vivaciousness are gone. Her smile is brittle, she is overly polite, and her eyes are flat and lifeless. She also seems determined to spend little time with him. For her part, Glynis is dismayed to find that she still is overwhelmed by Lennox. All the time apart has not lessened her love.

A second chance at love is one of my favorite tropes, but there is so much more to this story. It takes place during the American Civil War, and that had far reaching effects, both for Lennox’s shipbuilding business and for the diplomatic circles Glynis moved in. As quoted in this book, “War is hell,” and it caused people, including Glynis, to do things they wouldn’t normally do. As Glynis tries to move on, her past comes back to haunt her.

Karen Ranney has written an absolutely captivating story with so much happening. Lennox is one hot Scot – protective, honorable, strong, and off the charts sexy. There is murder, blackmail, treachery, secrets, gossip, arson, passion, and heartbreak – all leading to an exciting and engrossing read. The focus, though, is the wonderful love story, with a most satisfying happy ever after that was seven years in the making.

Review appeared at rosesareblue.net
http://wp.me/p3QRh4-6H

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Mar 30, 2015 Caz rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook, audiogals, romance-1850-1900s

I've given this a B- for narration and a B for content at AudioGals, so let's say 3.5 stars.

In Your Wildest Scottish Dreams is the first in a new series from this popular author, and is set in Scotland in the 1860s. As well as having an intriguing historical background, it features a second-chance romance, which is a favourite trope of mine; and the audiobook version is narrated by Ralph Lister, someone I’ve listened to before and wanted to hear again.

Glynis MacIain has been in love with her bro ...more

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Feb 04, 2015 Melody May (What I'm Reading) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical, romance, edelweiss

Posted on What I'm Reading

I thoroughly enjoyed In Your Wildest Scottish Dreams. I love the inner dialogue Glynis and Lennox have during this story. It was a lot of fun to read. So, we have Glynis and Lennox and they have both loved each other for a long time, but pride seems to get in their way. Since the pride is the big issue, neither one of them wants to admit mistakes. Terrible downfall that pride. A wounded Glynis runs off and marries another, and she eventually comes back after seven years Posted on What I'm Reading

I thoroughly enjoyed In Your Wildest Scottish Dreams. I love the inner dialogue Glynis and Lennox have during this story. It was a lot of fun to read. So, we have Glynis and Lennox and they have both loved each other for a long time, but pride seems to get in their way. Since the pride is the big issue, neither one of them wants to admit mistakes. Terrible downfall that pride. A wounded Glynis runs off and marries another, and she eventually comes back after seven years. By the way she comes back a widow and she aims to stay far away from Lennox no matter what her heart says. Lennox was hurt when she up and left another, and he never understood why. However, he vows to stay away from her.

Love this story, because we watch these two try everything to stay away one another. Yet, they seem to be in the same area. Fate is a fickle bitch. So, we have that going on, and we still have more to story. In the blurb it talks about Lennox helping the Confederates cause by building ships. He decides to try to protect Gavin Whittaker and his wife by taking them in. First off, Gavin's wife is not very pleasant. Wait, she's downright awful, and she has nothing nice to say about anything. Kind of important to remember Gavin and his wife. Then we have another key player in the story Mathew Baumann and he's sniffing around for the union army.

Overall, In Your Wildest Scottish Dreams is a fantastic story about second chance love. I found myself not wanting to stop reading for anything. I kept telling myself one more chapter. I'm excited to see what direction the story goes. Lennox and Glynis are wonderfully stubborn. I love Glynis character the most, because at the beginning the book you see her as this wild and freed person. However, life's circumstances changes her, and you wonder what went on in her marriage with her first husband. So, we slowly got to see glimpse what she went through. She had a lot of courage, which I admire. Lennox is lovable. Yes, a page turner and I can't wait for more.

Copy provided by Avon via Edelweiss ...more

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Jun 27, 2016 Angela added it

Shelves: dnf

Glynis' obsession with Lennox is annoying the shit out of me. Does this book get better, or should I cut my losses? ...more

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Aug 18, 2015 Susan rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2015-books-read, historical-romance, romance

Good second chance story with a bit of mystery and a different background than most historical romances. I really enjoyed the setting of Glasgow and the merchant classes as a break from London and the nobility. I also learned some things about the American Civil War that I didn't know before. I love it when an author does the research to ensure that their stories are accurate.

Glynis and Lennox had grown up together as neighbors, with Lennox being her brother Duncan's best friend. When she was ei Good second chance story with a bit of mystery and a different background than most historical romances. I really enjoyed the setting of Glasgow and the merchant classes as a break from London and the nobility. I also learned some things about the American Civil War that I didn't know before. I love it when an author does the research to ensure that their stories are accurate.

Glynis and Lennox had grown up together as neighbors, with Lennox being her brother Duncan's best friend. When she was eighteen, she gathered her courage and told him how she felt and kissed him, only to have him stare at her in shock. To make matters worse, she heard that he was going to marry someone else. She fled to London, where she accepted the proposal of a British diplomat, then going with him to America. Seven years later, she returns to Glasgow as a widow, happy to be back home with her family.

But things have changed. Her family has fallen on hard times thanks to the war. Their cotton mills have been hit hard by their inability to get shipments from the South. Her father died right after she married, and her brother is trying to keep the business going. On the other hand, Lennox and his family have done well with their shipbuilding business. His crafts are in high demand by Confederate blockade runners. She is surprised to find out that he has never married.

The first time that Lennox and Glynis see each other after her return, there are sparks. But Lennox notices changes in her, ones that seem to have beaten down the spirit he remembers. He's missed her and thought of her often over the years. He's intrigued by and attracted to the woman she is now, and is determined to get to know her again.

She is still just as attracted to him, but she can't give in to it. There is too much that she has seen and done that keeps her from believing that she could ever deserve having him back in her life. Her life with her husband hadn't been a happy one. The man she thought he was turned out to be very different. The more I learned about him, the less I liked him. Everything she went through made her a stronger person, even though she didn't always see it. She hopes that being back home will enable her to move on with her life, until someone from her past shows up with plans of his own.

I really enjoyed seeing the rekindling of the relationship between Lennox and Glynis. She had never doubted her love for him, but because of her past she is determined to stay away from him now. The problem is that Lennox isn't cooperating, and the effect he has on her makes it hard for her to stick with her intentions. Lennox hadn't realized his feelings for her until it was too late, and now that she's back he's determined to get his way. I enjoyed their interactions; thanks to the long history they have together they are frequently very amusing.

There's one scene between them that gets witnessed by a rather nasty woman, who then proceeds to attempt to destroy Glynis and Lennox's reputations, which only forces them together. But both of them let their pride get in the way of sharing their feelings, leading to misunderstandings and a lack of trust. Lennox is also protective of Glynis, if only he could find out just what he's protecting her from.

Both Glynis and Lennox were dealing with the effects of the American Civil War. Lennox and his shipbuilding business have been very successful at building ships that are capable of running the Union blockade of the South. Though Great Britain was technically neutral in the war, there were quite a few businesses that ignored the government's position. There is someone who seems very determined that Lennox not be able to fulfill his latest order. When his purchaser is murdered right there in the shipyard, he's determined to find out who is responsible. Glynis has someone from her past who is blackmailing her, trying to get her to spy on Lennox and his business. She's ashamed of some of the things in her past, and is afraid of what could happen when Lennox finds out. I loved seeing how she found the courage to do what she had to do, and how she went about doing it. There was an interesting twist to the identity of the murderer and it wasn't who I expected it to be. ...more

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Jul 07, 2020 Luz Trevino rated it it was ok

Shelves: historical-romance, read-in-2020, friends-to-lovers-romance, did-not-finish

Sadly I couldn’t get into it. It was very repetitive and too much internal dialogue going on. Both MCs where just meh!

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Jan 23, 2015 Gaele rated it it was amazing

Shelves: avon, edelweiss, reviewed, favorites, 2015-historic-romance-challenge, historic

In the start to a new series, Karen Ranney brings the intrigue and heat with In Your Wildest Scottish Dreams.

Set against the political machinations of the American Civil War as we reunite Glynis MacLain, now widowed owner of the MacLain cotton mills with her former lost love Lennox Cameron, shipbuilder.

Years ago, Glynnis and Lennox were acquainted when her romantic lack of sensibilities led her to pronounce her love for him, to which he had no response. Devastated and angry, she soon accepted In the start to a new series, Karen Ranney brings the intrigue and heat with In Your Wildest Scottish Dreams.

Set against the political machinations of the American Civil War as we reunite Glynis MacLain, now widowed owner of the MacLain cotton mills with her former lost love Lennox Cameron, shipbuilder.

Years ago, Glynnis and Lennox were acquainted when her romantic lack of sensibilities led her to pronounce her love for him, to which he had no response. Devastated and angry, she soon accepted another man’s proposal, and fled to America with him. In the years that have passed, Lennox has made a success of himself as a shipbuilder of some renown, but there are rumors and whispers in Glasgow, not all about others.

When Glynnis returns to Scotland a widow, she is concerned with the continued difficulties posed by the American Civil War, and the effect of the cotton shortage on her mills. Being away from home, her correspondences were limited with Scotland, although many of the rumors did sneak over. So, not only is she concerned for her own financial future, she finds herself trying to sort fact from fiction, managing the tricky political climate and reestablishing herself in Glasgow society.

Ranney manages to imbue this story with so many different elements to bring the time and politics to the reader in an easy-to-understand way, while adding in a touch of mystery, murder and mayhem all wrapped up underneath the flirtation and budding romance between Glynnis and Lennox.

Their interactions are wonderful: funny, clever, fast-paced and laden with humor and emotion that shows the true connection between the two. While not over-emphasizing societal stricture, dress or background, those subtle descriptions are dropped lightly throughout the story, giving readers plenty of information for visualization, as well as (in the case of Charlotte) adding to the character’s personality and foreshadowing their likability. Ranney has several different lines of subplot that twist through the main love story between Glynnis and Lennox, that keep the reader wondering who did what, and who can they believe. One can’t help but feel for Glynnis and Lennox as they sort through everything that is happening.

You need look no further to see why I love my historic romances – with a story so full of intrigue, heart, history and turmoil, you get it all in a manageable bite as you are transported to the world between the pages.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review for The Jeep Diva. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
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Jun 09, 2015 Trudy Miner rated it really liked it

Glynis MacIain has known Lennox Cameron most of her life and loved him just about that long. When she foolishly declared her love for him with a passionate kiss at a ball given by her father for his Russian business partner and was met with silence, Glynis fled to London where she met and wed Richard Smythe, up and coming member of the British delegation. Now, seven years later and widowed, Glynis has returned to her family in Glasgow, Scotland. She's also not the girl Lennox remembers; Glynis h ...more

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Dec 08, 2016 Laura Beth rated it did not like it

Shelves: dnf-never-read

DNF -- at 17% Chapter 7 -- I like historical novels. One of the things that I like is the predictability of the story and plot. I love the unique characters in the familiar stories. I do not like westerns though or stories about the American Civil War. There is nothing romantic about war.
While the cover led me to believe that the story was about Scotland, I should have paid closer attention to the synopsis of the novel. This book takes place during the American Civil War with that as a major pl ...more

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Dec 14, 2016 dumbells rated it did not like it

Why oh why did I not delete this book from my phone? Uggggggh. Was this thing written by the Riddler?
Every single sentence is a question. After a statement we get like 3 questions and then some late addition and then another question.
A new history romance has been started. Will it be the same as the other ones? Will there be some innovation introduced by the author? Will these characters be reliable and internist? Maybe I should buy it and find out. But what if it turns out to be horrible disap ...more

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Apr 01, 2018 Mel Harris rated it liked it

Story as fairly good. Audiobook reader was horrid!!! Being a frequent audiobook listener, this is important. This guy...I won’t get another by him, no matter the author

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Jul 19, 2018 Cat rated it did not like it

This book was horrible and such a chore to finish! I couldn't stand the heroine, she was so stiff and her inner dialogue was so monotonous and no matter how many times she told herself to tell the truth, when it came time to amp-up, she always chickened out. What the hell did the guy see in her?

Speaking of the guy, he wasn't all that great either. He would have all these plans to tell her how he loved her and loved her for years, but when it came to the proposal (which only happened after they h ...more

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Jan 11, 2017 Leilani rated it it was amazing

I enjoyed the story though I felt that the two characters didn't spend enough time together the only thing that made their love really seem real was that they knew eachother before. But I did enjoy it though some of the characters were hard to keep up with in the beginning and there were a lot of view points. ...more

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Dec 13, 2017 Dax rated it liked it

Shelves: audiobook, candy

Just needed some Scottish accents in my life so I listened to this audiobook. I had a hard time at first with this story since the "good guys" in this story were definitely fighting for the Confederates in Americans Civil War. It turns out that the Scots were well known for building ships and helping the wrong side of history. The story was entertaining but it was so hard to read this tale. ...more

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Oct 20, 2021 Camila rated it it was ok

I liked the idea of it, liked the plot twist. But the "I couldn't tell him" thing that lasted the 80% of the book was just boring.
I did like the hero, would have liked to see him more de developed instead. I would also have enjoyed the by side love story that Karen has me used to. It could have been between Mary and someone else. Also i would have enjoyed a little more about their Mother. ...more

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Oct 24, 2021 Meagan rated it did not like it

Shelves: romance-novel

Why did the author write a Confederate sympathizer Scottish romance novel?
Why were both characters so boring?
Why did we have so many POVs?
Why were there so many rhetorical questions?
Why did I read this?
🤷🏻‍♀️

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Oct 10, 2017 Vickie rated it it was ok

Shelves: library

Couldn't really get into it. ...more

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May 01, 2018 Deborah rated it it was ok · review of another edition

I forced myself to finish this book just for my reading challenge. I did not like or feel any connection to the characters in the story. It was very choppy. Disappointing.

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Jul 23, 2018 Samayearias rated it really liked it

When childhood love blooms into a full loving relationship, I just can't seem to put the boom down. I would have liked the villan to have been a little more kniving but it was well written. ...more

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Aug 25, 2020 Natalie rated it it was ok

Eh. This was fine. Compelling history, too much exposition, the romance felt tedious, but well written and thought out.

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Sep 09, 2020 Sarah Lane added it

intricately plotted and steamy

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Dec 20, 2020 Scarlett Young rated it liked it

Shelves: books-i-own, genre-historical-romance, age-adult, format-physical

3.5 stars

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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