Return to Clan Sinclair

Clan Sinclair #3.5

by Karen Ranney (contributor)

When Ceana Sinclair Mead married the youngest son of an Irish duke, she never dreamed that seven years later her beloved Peter would die. Her three brothers-in-law think she should be grateful to remain a proper widow. But after three years of this, she's ready to scream. She escapes to Scotland, only to discover she's so much more than just the Widow Mead.

In Scotland, Ceana crosses paths with Bruce Preston, an American tasked with a dangerous mission by her brother, Macrath. Bruce is too attractive for her peace of mind, but she still finds him fascinating. Their one night together is more wonderful than Ceana could have imagined, and she has never felt more alive.

But when the past reaches out in the form of an old foe, Ceana's life is in danger. Now Bruce must fight to become her savior—and more—if she'll let him.

Genres: Historical Romance, Historical, Romance, Novella, Scotland, Historical Fiction, Humor

192 pages, ebook

First published December 23, 2014

About the author

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 Goddess coming March 12, 2015.)

I believe in the power of the individual, the magnificence of the human spirit, and always looking for the positive in any situation. I write about people who have been challenged by life itself but who win in the end.

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Website: http://karenranney.com
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Twitter: @Karen_Ranney

Reviews

[Carole (Carole's Random Life) · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

4 Stars!

I enjoyed reading this novella. I loved the fact that the characters were a little different that I usually see. It was refreshing to see a story about a second chance at romance. This book is part of the Clan Sinclair series but I was perfectly fine reading it as a stand alone story. I am sure that some of the character may have been in previous books but this is a complete story.

Ceana is a widow and mother of 2 daughters. Her husband's family has taken control of her life in the time since her husband's death. She is at the point that she cannot take it anymore so she decides to leave her daughter in the care of family while she goes to visit her brother, Macrath, and his wife, Virginia.

Once she arrives at her brother's home, she meets Bruce, an American who is working to keep the family safe. Ceana and Bruce are drawn to each other. They have book suffered huge losses and have learned to continue living. They decide to act on their attraction even though they know nothing can come of it.

I really liked the fact that the main characters have lived, loved, and lost. I am so used to seeing only young virgins holding the lead roles in romances, especially historical romances. The book had a lot of excitement and action packed into just a few pages. I kind of wish that this could have been a bit longer. The relationship between Bruce and Ceana moved a bit faster than I wish it had and I didn't always feel the chemistry between them. That being said I did find it to be a very nice story.

I would recommend this story to fans of historical romance. This is the first story by Karen Ranney that I have had a chance to read and I look forward to reading a full length work soon.

I received a copy of this book from Avon Impulse via Edelweiss for the purpose of providing an honest review.

[Lily (Night Owl Book Cafe) · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Ceana married, never did she imagine that her husband would leave her seven year later with two daughter a widow. Now her brother-in-laws have this idea in their mind that she should remain a proper widow for the remaining of her life. After three years of mourning her husband, Ceana cannot take the life of being a widow anymore, nor her overbearing in-laws and flees to her brother's home. Little does Ceana know that she is about to have a run in with a naked man, an American that her brother Macrath has hired to a dangerous mission. With temptation and attraction that all the sudden sizzles between the two, Ceana finds the man infuriating, plus she wants to know what exactly he was doing at her brothers home, and who was in danger?

Interesting story. Was cute and a fast read. I like how it handled the romance and even a quick good storyline that was packed into this little novella. It had a bit of everything, romance, danger, some action, and likeable secondary characters. I enjoyed Ceana and even found myself feeling bad for the woman. I believed her brother-in-laws where a bit unfair as far as what they expected from her, to live her life in a constant shadow of her husbands death.

Bruce was fun. I liked the fact that he wouldn't back down from a challenge, especially one presented by Ceana. Though because of that, the romance did seem a little pushed. I saw the attraction he was trying to create between them, but I wasn't completely feeling it. Luckily the side story about what Bruce was doing for her brother at his home kept me entertained!

I got a copy of this book for free in exchange of an honest review.

[Lover of Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many of you know how much I just adore this author, She has always been a favorite, and she writes incredible historical romances, and Return To Clan Sinclair is a novella in her latest series "Clan Sinclair". Now this story is about Ceana, who (if you are familiar with the previous installments, she is the sister to Macrath Sinclair. Ceana, is a widow, has two daughters, and for three years has to be stifled by her inlaws who just want to smother her in the over protectiveness. So desperate for some fresh air, she leaves her daughters in their care, and goes to her brother's estate, and meets a man she didn't expect, a man that makes her feel alive for the first time in three years. But they find out that a danger from her family's past, has come to haunt them and her life will be put at risk, and only Bruce can save her...but will he make it to her in time...

What a fun and short story...I either love novella's or hate them, depending on who is writing them, but I really liked this one. I felt like it was pretty well balanced for how short it was. We also get to see Macrath and Virginia and their precocious children (oh my goodness...they are too adorable for words, I just want to eat them up..giggle). Now with it being a novella, it is challenging to get the love story to be full depth, and it wasn't as deep as I like it to be, but I felt like this story was really romatnic and likeable, and didn't leave a feeling of being too rushed at all!! I will say though, that this was a cute pair together. They had a charm to them, and with the highland setting, the wit and engaging story line...you won't help but find yourself captured in the "Ranney" style. SIMPLY WONDERFUL!!

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title of this novella was very fitting and I enjoyed myself. After reading the Virgin of Clan Sinclair, I fell in love with Drumvagan so when I had the opportunity to return (as it were) in this novella, I jumped at the chance. Ranney creates a vivid picture of the home on the rugged, Scottish, coastline. This is a beautiful backdrop for a story we don't often see in romance. Both Bruce and Ceana were happily married and had suffered the loss of their spouses. As widowers, they had struggled to learn how to live again. With each other, there was an instant, undeniable attraction and from their first, memorable meeting (our hero, sans clothes), I knew their relationship was inevitable.

I enjoy stories that snap along like this and clearly show how a character evolves. It was refreshing and enjoyable and a great way to spend a quiet evening.

There is an intrigue plot but it really only comes into play at the end. As for heat, there is one brief sex scene and some kisses. A nice, well-balanced novella.

[ᑭᑌᑎƳᗩ [Punya Reviews...] · Rating 4 out of 5]

My review contains spoilers and they're mostly my thoughts as I went with the book... for more, visit Punya Reviews...

Return to Clan Sinclair was a spinoff novella by Karen Ranney from her historical romance series, Clan Sinclair. I’ve read the previous 3 original installments and enjoyed them, so it was a pleasure for me to revisit the characters and the setting as a whole.

The original Clan Sinclair series talks about 3 siblings, Macrath, Mairi and Ceana. Orphaned quite young, Macrath had to take over his father’s printing business to take care of his younger sisters. He also, later, took in one of their distant cousins, also an orphan, Fenella, who grew up with them. She has always been welcomed and treated as another sister. Though book 1, The Devil of Clan Sinclair, is Macrath’s story and book 2, The Witch of Clan Sinclair, is Mairi’s, Ceana wasn’t a part of this series as a whole. She was seen or mentioned once or twice, already married to an Irish nobleman. Fenella got her HEA in book 2 as a secondary romance, with one of Mairi’s employees, pressman Alan.

Macrath, a self-made man, lost interest in his father’s printing venture a while later. Since then, he’s been into things that actually interests him, like inventing things, including ice-machines. His different successful business ventures also brought in the much needed financial help that the family desperately needed. Prior to that, he and his siblings were just getting by somehow. Macrath’s also a wonderful and caring elder brother as we see throughout his story. He arranged a season for Ceana and gave Mairi the freedom to be herself at that time when women were not welcomed to do anything ‘bold’ as per society’s dictates. Though he still was at the forefront of the press, Mairi was the backbone of The Edinburgh Gazette. She grew up watching her father and helping him in everything press related, and so, it became her life too. She was also the proverbial spinster, until she met the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, one Logan Harrison, who changes her life completely.

Macrath’s story has some link to this novella, so I’m going to recap a bit more. He was in love with this American heiress, Virginia. She was forced to marry some lord by her rich, title-hungry father in order to nip their romance at the bud. Macrath, a ‘lowly Scotsman’, didn’t even stand a chance, though, by that time, he was rich enough to keep Virginia in style. The marriage absolutely broke Macrath’s heart. He was so adamant about making Virginia his own that he even bought this huge mansion in the Highlands called Drumvagen, and was working diligently to make it a home for them. After her marriage, Macrath retires there. He starts living largely as a recluse, only working on his latest inventions. When Virginia’s sickly husband perishes a couple of years ago, she hatches a plan to save her in-Laws from financial ruin; a plan that included using Macrath. It was so full of in-your-face deceit that I promptly lost all my respect for her. I didn’t care why she was doing it or how ‘noble’ her reasons were, IMO what she did for the better part of the story was plain wrong, especially to a man who still loved her! I failed to regain any liking for her unfortunately, even though she has been repeatedly painted as a paragon of virtue in all the later installments, including Return to Clan Sinclair, which is set at Drumvagen with Macrath’s family present.

Book 3, The Virgin of Clan Sinclair, was the story of Virginia's SIL from her first marriage and this novella has no direct connection to that one.

Since finishing the first 3 books, I’ve wondered why Ceana, the youngest of three Sinclair siblings, was never mentioned all that much. I gathered maybe she just wasn’t a part of the series planning. Just the ‘other married sister’; a forgettable character. Fortunately, Ms. Ranney gives us this novella that sheds some light on Ceana’s life. At first though, I thought it’s going to be a flashback. But it wasn’t. Return to Clan Sinclair takes place at least a decade or so later than Macrath’s story.

In this story, we find a harried Ceana escaping to Drumvagen, a place where she’s never been before. In fact, since her marriage to Peter, she moved to Ireland and hasn’t been back to visit any of her siblings, which surprised me TBH. Poor Peter has passed away some years ago and Ceana’s BILs are making her life a living hell. They’re smothering her by being overprotective. Moreover, they’re adamant that Ceana MUST remain a virtuous widow all her life. And this, Ceana, couldn’t take, including all these restrictions they were setting for her. The faraway mansion of her brother’s seemed liked the best place for Ceana to contemplate on her future, to try to figure out what she’s going to do next.

I loved seeing all of Macrath’s kids in this novella, who were babies or infants in the other installments; the eldest Alistair, then Fiona and Carlton. Alistair seems to be a copy of Macrath when he was that young, a fact Ceana zooms in on the moment she meets her niece and nephews. But it was because of the most restive and energetic, Carlton, that she first meets Bruce Preston... in all his manly glory. He was trying to save Carlton, again, who has just gotten himself into a scrape (again, if I might mention), by trying to sneak out of his room. Bruce, whose name Ceana didn’t know at that time, was coming in after a swim from the beach nearby. Yah, it was a rather... unforgettable introduction that had Ceana blushing like a virgin because of the way Bruce was looking at her, not to mention his, erm, manly glory. *heehee*

Later, a beautiful companionship forms between Ceana and Bruce, even though, at first, Cenna was a bit maddened by his bold looks and impertinent questions. But she couldn’t help but be intrigued either. She was definitely attracted to him, but it wasn’t just plain ol’ lust. She detected some sadness in Bruce that he liked to hide away. Likewise, Bruce fell for Ceana the moment they met and an interest formed, born of the urge to want to get to know her better. Everything about her if possible. I loved their banters because those were so full of meanings; sometimes innuendoes, while other times something much more heartfelt. But Bruce was yet to tell Ceana the real reason behind his presence at Drumvagen.

Bruce is an American detective whom Macrath hired to find a man whom anyone who read book 1, will recognize; Paul Henderson. Paul, who once was the secretary of Virginia’s first husband, came off as a mentally imbalanced guy. He formed this fixation over Virginia that lead to some disasters. At the end, I even questioned why we never got to learn what really happened to him. He was supposed to be bound to America but there was no solid update on that regard. In this story, I got much more than I bargained for when Paul returns to Scotland, apparently never having gotten over that deadly obsession, still hell-bent on making her his. It was crazy, but I never really knew why Paul was that obsessed, maybe because I wasn’t fond of her, who knows. Funnily enough, when I read about him at first, I thought Paul was going to be the heartbroken suitor who’d probably later have his own story to tell, which didn’t happen of course.

Now I’d like to get back to Bruce and Ceana’s story. That beautiful, heartfelt companionship soon transformed into something more even though both were reluctant to take a leap. I could understand that, since neither Ceana, nor Bruce knew where their relationship was heading. A swift affair to be forgotten when they return to their regular lives? Would this be something more? But most importantly, does she/he want it to be something ‘more’?

I have to say that the moment I saw these two together, I knew they belonged. They both clicked and wanted to move on to have a future together. Both were lonely souls, still grieving the loss of their loved ones. Whereas Ceana was still mourning Peter, Bruce had also lost his own family in the war. Bruce was mourning them too, even if it had been a long time. He’d been a lost soul ever since, never having thought he’d be whole again. Thus far, Bruce had buried himself into his work. But then, no one had tugged at his heartstrings or seems to understand his state of being the way Ceana does. For Ceana, Bruce just made her feel alive again after long years of mourning. She needed a breath of fresh air with someone who she can trust with hers and her daughters’ lives.

The whole affair, though happened in such a short span of time, worked for me much more than I expected. Generally, the novellas don’t always give me that sense of contentment a full-length novel does. The romance doesn’t always work for me; it either seems rushed, or I end up feeling no connection between the main characters. But in here, I saw the connection and felt how Ceana and Bruce were nurturing each-other’s souls, which made the whole read so wonderful (Paul’s shenanigans notwithstanding). In the end, I didn’t want the story to end. I wanted read more, to have a glance at their future together. I wished this was a full-length story, rather than a novella.

I don’t know correctly, but Return to Clan Sinclair probably is the last installment. Needless to say, I’m going to miss this series, and the fact that Mairi-Logan and Fenella-Alan were not featured and that I had no updates on their lives. :( But at least I got the answer to my what-happened-to-Paul question! 4.25 stars.


This ARC was provided to me by Avon Impulse via edelweiss which didn’t influence my review and rating in any way.

[Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is nothing worse than feeling like your suffocating...from overprotective relatives. Well, maybe there are worse things, lol.

In Ceana's case, it wasn't ideal. Widowed with two daughters, she needed space from her brothers-in-law so she packed it up and headed home. There she met Bruce who is unlike any man she's ever met. Arrogant and overly confident, he completely rubs her the wrong way. Doesn't sound like someone she should be attracted to, right? Except he is.

Bruce wasn't looking for a woman like Ceana, neither was she looking for a man like him. Yet fate has decided they are just what they need now and forever, if Bruce can keep her safe and if Ceana can see how much her heart needs him.

There's a fine line when it comes to reading a novella for me. Sometimes it moves too quickly and leaves me feeling like I missed something. Other times it seems like information's missing. The length of a story isn't something I base a review on, but the content is. Ms. Ranney's novella is a great combination of needs, wants, desires, unexpected discoveries about oneself, and adventure. Old characters do come into play in this story, but, I think, this story is also a good introduction to her Clan Sinclair series as well as her writing style.

(Edelweiss via Tasty Book Tours)

[Kimia Safavi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible!

Return to Clan Sinclair is an incredible historical romance novella
After being a widow for the past three years (with three brother-in-laws who think she should be grateful to remain a proper widow), Ceana packs and returns to her brother's house Macrath in Scotland.
She didn't expect to meet Bruce Preston, the handsome American, her brother hired to keep the family safe.
Ceana and Bruce are two strong characters with great chemistry. I loved that Virginia , Macrath and their adorable children were in this short story. This is a sweet and fun short story that I couldn't put the book down.
Karen Ranney did a fantastic job, her novella is perfect and delightful.
Thank you Karen Ranney

[iStarr · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sinclair Finale

Although Ceana Sinclair was introduced to us in the first book of the series, we were not privy to her romance and subsequent marriage to an Irish Duke. Ten years have passed, her beloved husband has died, and Ceana returns home to Scotland.

Bruce Preston is an American investigator who’d been hired by Macrath Sinclair to find Paul Henderson, the villain from Book 1, as he seemingly sailed away to America and freedom.

Henderson has retuned. The plot thickens and twists with 3 Irish brothers-in-law making appearances to save Ceana from Henderson.

Of course Ceana & Bruce have a fling that leads to love and commitment, but the journey is not without its conflicts.

[Megan]

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[Melody May (What I'm Reading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Posted on What I'm Reading

First lets establish that it might be beneficial to read The Devil of Clan Sinclair, before reading Return to Clan Sinclair. All because some of the story line pertains to a past events from The Devil of Clan Sinclair. Return to Clan Sinclair is still an enjoyable story even if you haven't read The Devil of Clan Sinclair, I'm just saying it will enhance the story experience. Since it's me, and I tend to jump in the middle of a series it would be no surprise I have done the same with Return to Clan Sinclair. Why would I change my habits. Anyway, I still liked the story between Bruce and Ceana.

Okay, what makes this story so special. First off, we have Ceana Sinclair Mead. A lovely young widow with two adorable daughters. However, she is Widow Mead in Ireland with no hope of moving on. Sounds kind of depressing. Anyway, she had decide to escape her life for a little while and visit her brother in Scotland. Basically, she's gone in search of something that she didn't know she was looking for. Basically, Ceana's life sounds kind of stifling, suffocating, and whatever other words you can come with thanks to her loving brothers-in-laws. Yep, loads of fun. Then we have Bruce Preston who is at her brother's house to help with the past issue I gloss over. At first we don't know about Bruce other than he's an investigator from the US, and Ceana formed a strong opinion about the guy:

He was everything she didn't like in a man: arrogant, condescending, self-righteous, too confident.

I personally don't see a problem here. Personally, I think he sounds dreamy. LOL. Anyway, those traits are kind of useful in his trade.

Of course, Ceana has feelings for Bruce and she doesn't know how to handle it. I mean she had been a widow for three years and her brothers-in-law would love to see her morn the loss of their brother forever. That might sound a bit harsh, but a lot of it stems from fears; irrational yes, but it's a morbid way of love. Moving on. So, Ceana wants to move on, but she doesn't know if its right and with Bruce. I do like Bruce self-confidence that kind of help Ceana move forward with her life. Yes, the story is a fast moving story, but it's a novella. Even though it felt fast, it still felt complete. Yes, you have romance and danger, bonus it tidies up very nicely. Yeah, I might would like to see a little more to the end, but it worked. Now, I just need to go back and start with book one.

Bottom Line: Enjoyed Return to Clan Sinclair and it was well balance story. So, if you are looking for a quick read you might checkout this story, but advise to start with book one.

Copy provided by Avon via Edelweiss

[Rose Blue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ceana Mead had a loving and happy marriage, and was devastated when her husband died. Although three years have passed, and she will always love and miss him, she's ready to live again. Her three brothers-in-law would just as soon keep her in widow's clothes and have her mourn forever, and have taken over every facet of her life. Desperately needing a break from them, she leaves her two daughters in the care of her sister-in-law, and escapes to Scotland to visit her brother, and ponder her future.

Bruce Preston is an American investigator who has been hired by Macrath, Ceana's brother to track down a criminal who is fixated on Macrath's wife and is believed to be in the area. Bruce is a widower, and lost not only his wife, but his two children. He travelled all the way to Scotland, as Macrath was a big help to him as he was getting his business started.
Bruce and Ceana meet under very interesting and amusing circumstances. At first, they spend much of their time bantering, and avoiding answering each other's questions. Soon they realize just how much they enjoy spending time with each other, and then their attraction leads them to become lovers. They have a lot to overcome - he lives on another continent, and she has to find a way to escape her well meaning but smothering in-laws.

I love these lines - "She laughed and wrapped her arms around his waist, tempting him to take her right there on the beach. He bent his head, lay his cheek against her hair, hearing the wind and the waves. The door to his heart opened, the rusty hinges dissolving as he realized that, despite all the odds, he'd somehow fallen in love."

This is a very short, sweet and enjoyable read, with a great hero and heroine. Both have suffered loss, and are brave enough to risk loving again. Their romance is lovely, and there is some drama with the villain. I enjoyed reading Return to Clan Sinclair very much. You will be able to read this without having read the other books in the series, but if you have, you'll enjoy visiting some old friends, and seeing the children as they are growing up. Recommended!

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short novella and it’s coming on the heels of Ms. Ranney’s third book in her Clan Sinclair series. Time wise it takes place ten years after the first book in the series which is Macrath and Virginia’s story and if you’re not familiar with that book or for that matter with any in this series, have no worries as this short story stands on its own very well. However, if you need a quick intro into the whole series, all you have to do click on my post from yesterday and you’ll be all caught up.

Now, off to the good part. Telling you how much I loved and appreciated this story from the prospective of a reader that was intrigued by the character of Ceana. We never really meet her character or get to know her much in the three previous books and that’s why I was so happy to find out that finally we get to know her.

She is such a great character and honestly, I wish she had a full book too. Her story was strong and compelling as much as romantic, sweet and tender as well as sensual.

Bruce, the hero of this piece was such a contradiction because when we and the heroine first meet him, he’s buck naked and smiling. Deep down, and bit later on in the book, we find out more about his heartbreaking past and I had tears in my eyes as he’s talking about it.

The way these two meet and form misconceptions about each other is so well written it brought a huge grin to my face every time they conversed! I adored their romance and highly recommend you pick this one up regardless of reading the earlier books in this series. And to see Virginia and Macrath in their loving home and with their kids all grown up was such an awesome treat. I’m hoping one day Ms. Ranney writes Carlton’s story because he was such a Devil like his father!

For a quick, intriguing, fun and utterly sweet and sensual read, look no further and pick this one up, like NOW!

Melanie for b2b

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher

[Gaele · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a twist from the more usual historical romance tropes, we have Ceana, youngest of the Sinclair siblings, now a widow with two daughters. Her husband Peter has passed, and his brothers are requesting that Ceana stay in Ireland, and under their control; a situation that she finds completely untenable.

I loved Ceana and her strength, being away from her own family for so long, but to take a chance and return to Scotland to escape their demands and find a life that makes her happy. Her escape to her brother Macrath’s castle, and meeting his children also brings a new man into her life in Bruce Preston.

Bruce is bold and protective, with none of the ‘polish’ that society expects, something that Ceana is not used to, but finds intriguing. Once she learns how he relates and teases, she starts to relax more in his company, and their relationship becomes a more comfortable companionship. An American, there is a touch of the ‘foreign’ about him, and layers of depth that are hidden beneath his good-natured banter. And banter they do! The conversations and interactions are fast paced, laden with meaning and little hints to intention and history.

Surprisingly, for a rather quick courtship, this relationship didn’t feel rushed or hurried: there was a solid sense from both Bruce and Ceana of their attraction, and the underlying sadness that they both hold close from their losses: she of Peter and he of his family in the war. These two found healing and hope in one another, and a wonderful connection as a couple.

Adding in the family interference, the children and their antics, and a brief check in with all the characters from earlier stories gave a solid sense of family, love and continuity. A wonderful installment in the series.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

[Carmella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy Karen Ranney's stories and this one was no different.

This book focused on Ceana, the youngest Sinclair. She is a widow with 2 daughters who is being stifled by her brothers-in-law. She has been in mourning for 3 years and as far as they are concerned it could go on forever. They are good men, wanting to care for her own.

Ceana has run away, to her brother's home. She needs time to think because she knows she can't go on like this forever. There she meets Bruce Preston, a man that works security for her brother Macrath and sisiter-in-law Virginia. She is very attracted to him, as he is her.

Trouble is abound. Bruce is in Scotland because news of Virginia's kidnapper has surfaced. He thinks Henderson is on his way to Scotland to try kidnap Virginia again. Henderson is about and hires a man to kidnap Virginia......

This is a novella, 16 chapters. I look forward to another story from Karen.

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Return to Clan Sinclair is a short steamy novella that introduces us to Ceana Mead Sinclair. Ceana has returned to her brother’s home in Scotland in an attempt to find herself after her husband passed away. A chance meeting of a sexy incorrigible American detective opens the doorway to a second chance at love and happiness; that is if her in laws don’t ruin it for her. Lively banter and intriguing sexual tension between the protagonist makes for an enjoyable read. Ranney also ties off a few loose threads from The Devil of Clan Sinclair. I only wish we would have heard the real reasons behind Ceana’s in laws need to keep her under lock and key.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

#3.5 in the "Clan Sinclair",but can be read as a stand alone. A novella. I would recommend reading the others in this series, but it is not necessary to follow the story. With mystery, a bit of suspense,danger, lots of romance, a second chance at love and passion, this quick read is a must. Set against a Scottish background, the Clan Sinclair is a formidable opponent. The characters are engaging and realistic. The storyline is interesting and well written. An enjoyable and satisfying read!

*Received for an honest review from the publisher and Above the Treeline*

Rating: 4
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Novella

The Sinclair Clan is nothing if not loving! This is Ceana's story, Macrath's widowed sister. Ceana has been a widow for 3 years. Her brother-in-laws feel she should continue wearing black and basically give up her life in their brother memory. Ceana sneaks off to see her brother Macrath in Scotland. There she meets the American investigator, Bruce Preston, also a widower. They seem to have instant chemistry!

This novella is a story with mistaken identity, humor and romance all rolled up in a great storyline! Great addition to the series and a fun read as most of Ms. Ranney's books are.

2 Thumbs up!!!

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was refreshing to get a romance between a widow and a widower; Ceana and Bruce were each people who had loved and lost and were ready for new opportunities. At times the romance felt a bit rushed and therefore a little less believable. However, there was opportunity for self-discovery and a little adventure as well. I would have preferred this to have been a full-length story rather than just a novella, to better fill out the characters and give the romance more opportunity to grow and flourish. That being said, it was a satisfying story nonetheless.

[Tracy Emro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very nice novella

I am surprised how in depth this novella felt - considering it was very short.

Ceana and Bruce are a lovely couple - both have loved and lost. But both are ready to start living and loving again.

Throw in a villain from the past, some over protective brother-in-laws and some cute kids and you have a very interesting and touching love story.

[Pam H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Normally I like a good novella but this one felt really rushed at the end- loose ends tied up carelessly to finish the book. Loved Bruce and Ceana and thought they deserved their own full length book.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great addition to Clan Sincliar!

[Rinou · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute short story with the last of the Sinclair. I liked how the characters learn to open again. I would have liked to read about Ceana standing up to her dictatorial brothers-in-law.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a novella, not a full-scale novel. It's good, but I was expecting a novel as a conclusion to the Clan Sinclair series.

[Crystal Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

its knd of short. the story/plot doesn't develop much. but it is well written and a quick read. Plus the main characters are all tie to previous clan stories.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely Karen Ranney novella, approx 192 pages. Enjoyed reading it.

[Carey’s Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book! It's worth reading! I have to read the other books in this series now too! A cute, historical romance book!!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read the other books in this series so all the characters were new for me. I was able to catch up fairly fast to all the players in the book. I love how Ms. Ranney writes that lets the story just flow. The interaction between Ceana and her family is great especially how well that Fiona looks up to her on the first day.

On the other had I would have like to see more of a conflict between Bruce and Ceana. It was just to close to love at first sight for me. Don't get me wrong I really liked the book. I'm going to have to get the other books in this series. I would very much recommend this book to other lovers of Scotland themed books.

[Larisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Solenn Lemiale]

This is a very good book even if the beginning was a bit boring.