The Texan Duke

Duke Trilogy #3

by Karen Ranney

New York Times bestselling author Karen Ranney’s third book in her Duke series spins the tale of a reluctant duke who must choose between his life in America—and the Scottish woman he’s destined to love…

As the ward to the late Duke of Lothian, Elsbeth Carew resides at the ancestral estate of Bealadair. Fiercely attached to the manor, she loves it more than anyone else. When Connor McCraight—the new Duke of Lothian—arrives, Elsbeth does not quite know what to make of the American who has inherited the title but has never even set foot on Scottish soil. The tall, ruggedly handsome Texan sweeps through Bealadair with an air of authority Elsbeth has never encountered.

Connor has no intention of making Scotland his home and hopes to sell the estate as soon as possible. But his plan is jeopardized when he meets Elsbeth. A sweet, gray-eyed beauty, she tempts him in ways no other woman has. As word spreads of Connor’s intention to sell Bealadair, his life is threatened—and the only woman who can save him may be the one he has hopelessly lost his heart to.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Scotland, Historical Fiction, Victorian

400 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 31, 2017

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
Email: karen@karenranney.com
Twitter: @Karen_Ranney

Reviews

[Ivy H · Rating 1 out of 5]

This didn't have what I was looking for. The duke sells his Scottish estate and goes back to Texas. The end. What the F ? I HATED this mixing of a cowboy/rancher with a duke/nobleman tale. I didn't enjoy this at all. I honestly thought the new duke would stay in Scotland embrace his new destiny and help the people of his clan. Nope. Around the middle of the novel I realized that this was heading for the ending I didn't want so I skipped to the end and yes, the guy sold his estate and returned with the heroine to Texas. I want to read about a duke who stays as a duke, for fucks sake. I had serious problems with his selling off of the estate in Scotland. Weren't these primary aristocratic estates supposed to be entailed?

On the plus side, the H was a wonderful man ( aside from not wanting to be a duke ). He was not a rake, he was handsome and he fell into insta-love with the heroine. The heroine was also wonderful. I suppose I could have easily loved this novel IF he had decided to remain a duke.

The ONE good thing about this novel was the HOT male model on the cover. That guy's like a cross between Henry Cavill and Matt Bomer. I really should not be rushing to read novels just because there's a hot guy on the cover ...

[Lover of Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

The Texan Duke is the last book in the Duke Trilogy by Karen Ranney and brings together a Scot and a Texan (American). Our hero was born and raised in Texas, around cattle and horses and the west plains of Texas. He loves his life, but when he learns of his father's real roots as a Scot, and that he is now the new Duke of Lothian. He is shocked and appalled by his new responsibilities and that he will have to travel to Scotland, in the winter and deal with this new "dilemma". Elspeth was the ward of the late Duke of Lothian. Her parents were killed, and the Duke had been her fathers closest friend and took her into his home. Now he is dead, and she must deal with this latest development of dealing with a new Duke, a man that is not born a Scot and the whole household is determined to show him how well the clan prospers. But when they learn that he plans on selling it, Elspeth and Connor will be drawn into a plot of danger and intrigue.

I truly enjoyed the Texan Duke and it was a bit different than the previous two books. I did enjoy it quite a bit, but I do think the first book is probably my favorite of the trilogy. I do have a weakness toward these unique matches in romance of dealing with an American coming to either England or Scotland and dealing with the culture shocks especially when it comes to the "titled" elements. And seeing a true, born and raised cowboy, deal with being a Scottish Duke had some strong appeal and unique challenges for sure and I felt that Karen Ranney did a wonderful job in showing these problems and mixes of culture very well while staying true to the romance for the most part. I do think that the plot took charge in this story. We have Connor's life being put in danger because a certain family member isn't too pleased when learning he wants to sell instead of keeping it. This does cause quite a bit of anger and fear among the whole clan. Now at first, you "think" you know who is behind it all, but honestly Ranney really worked me in this story. I never expected the identity of the true culprit. Now granted, the real villain, is not what you expect but I also felt uneasy about this character at times. I did like how Karen Ranney pulls you into this story with the elements of danger.

Now to talk about the actual romance in this story. Elspeth and Connor are drawn to each other from their first meeting. But Elspeth is practically a servant, she doesn't feel like she is "part" of the family, even though the late Duke treated her like a member of the family. She runs the whole estate, and she is involved in every member of the clan's life and Ioved that about her. There is some powerful chemistry that develops between these two. But I did like that we see a slow burn romance form between them. And this slow build-up relationships that forms works just right for the story because of certain other elements that come into the story. We have an attempted murder mystery going on, and then we have Elspeth trying to show Connor, the impact of his decision to sell. What I really liked about Connor though was his easy going personality. He is very laid back and was pretty refreshing. You see how well he connects with the cook and the maids and really just about everyone loves him. He is hardworking and dedicated, and really has a hard time understanding the whole "duke" obsessiveness when he wants to be appreciated for what he does in life and not because of his birth. He has such an honest and fresh feel to him that I gravitated towards. His character just leaves the reader with a smile all the way through.

The Texan Duke is a story that has a fresh air to this romance....a tale of self-discovery, growth, a plot of danger and mystery, a female ghost and some moments to make you laugh....truly entertaining in only the way that Karen Ranney delivers.





 

[Amarilli 73 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Questa è stata una rilettura, ma è un volume che continua a piacermi moltissimo.
Immaginatevi una Scozia in pieno inverno, piegata da gelo e tormente di neve, e un duca che muore senza eredi maschi; a un oceano e quasi un continente di distanza, un giovane rampollo texano, erede a sua volta di un ranch enorme, scopre di essere "anche" il quattordicesimo Duca di Lothian e Laird scozzese.
Ops, suo padre si era dimenticato di dirglielo e di prepararlo per il ruolo.
Così Connor deve lasciare il Texas e salire sulle Highlands a vedere cosa il destino gli ha combinato...
Ma i parenti non sono così felici di abbracciarlo e la governante della casa è più brava di lui a destreggiarsi tra terreni, pascoli, nobili e servitù.
Elsbeth è semplicemente grintosa e deliziosa; queste due anime fiere non potevano non incontrarsi.

[Fabiola Chenet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Une excellente romance historique où j'ai eu quand même parfois eu envie de secouer l'héroïne parce qu'elle est définitivement trop gentille lol. La fin est très belle.

[The Book Junkie Reads . . . · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where do I begin? Not exactly what I was expecting, but I did enjoy the read. I felt that it fit in to the series just fine. The Texan Duke put its own spin on the Duke Trilogy. I liked both Elsbeth and Connor. I wanted to love Connor, but he came to Scotland with his American attitude and the need to sell. That was not the way to win me over, but it did give me something to look forward to as he began to fall for Bealadair’s inhabitant(s). The danger, mystery, deception, and more drew me in but need a little something extra to take it completely over the top. Being in Scotland and working with the clan and Elsbeth was beginning to change the things that Connor thought while in route to Scotland.

You get wrapped in this read in a different way than the previous two installments. There was something about mixing the Americas and Scotland. The cowboy lifestyle with title and privilege and clan. There are many characters to get to know and some that you just want to forget but this was a read that allowed for various concepts to grow. If you have read the other two books of this series you will really want to continue onward. If you are new to the series, don’t be afraid you will pick things up just fine.

[Romanticamente Fantasy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Voto - 3.5
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“Fino a quel momento Connor aveva ignorato la presenza di parenti in Scozia. Non sapeva di avere una zia e tre cugine, tutte ragazze, e nemmeno uno zio, defunto da poco. Sicuro come l’inferno, poi, non aveva idea che esistesse una tenuta e che lui ne fosse l’erede. Non aveva alcuna voglia di gelare in un Paese straniero. Avrebbe preferito di gran lunga stare a casa, dove c’era bisogno di lui. «Tuo padre avrebbe desiderato che ci andassi!» Soltanto queste parole, pronunciate con dolcezza dalla madre, lo avevano persuaso a seguire Glassey in Scozia. Al momento si pentiva di non essersi opposto. Tuttavia dubitava che, nella storia del XIV Ranch, qualcuno fosse riuscito a dire di no a Linda McCraight.”
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Il libro di cui vi parlo oggi, Il Duca Americano, è uno storico uscito dalla penna prolifica di Karen Ranney, ed è il capitolo finale della serie I Duchi ribelli.
Connor, l’unico maschio fra i sei figli di Graham McCraight, dopo aver ereditato dal padre l’immenso ranch che l’uomo possedeva, scopre alla morte dello zio, di cui non aveva mai sentito parlare, di essere anche diventato il quattordicesimo Duca di Lothian, un titolo scozzese. Convinto dalla madre, che lo esorta ad andare a conoscere la terra dei suoi avi, il giovane si vede costretto ad arrivare nella freddissima Scozia in pieno inverno, accompagnato solo da Sam, l’amico del padre, che da anni trascorre molto del suo tempo nel Ranch di famiglia. Connor è venuto di persona per curare la vendita delle sue proprietà scozzesi, non intende infatti stare un minuto di più in un clima tanto gelido, e l’idea di avere un titolo non lo attrae affatto. Giunto a Bealadair, apprende che nella tenuta vivono ancora la vedova del Duca, con le sue cugine, e una ragazza di nome Elsbeth, pupilla dello zio dalla morte dei suoi genitori. La giovane donna era molto affezionata al vecchio Duca, e da tempo ha preso su di sé gran parte della direzione della tenuta. È lei, infatti, che sostituisce la governante anziana e malata e si preoccupa per i vecchi servitori, controllando anche le fattorie e gli allevamenti che permettono alla tenuta di sostenersi. Abituato a valutare le persone per il loro modo di fare e per ciò che valgono veramente, Connor rimane esterrefatto scoprendo che non solo Elsbeth viene trattata più da serva che da parente, ma il suo lavoro non viene neppure pagato, né le viene tributata la giusta riconoscenza. Non prova grande affinità con le parenti acquisite, donne che considera indolenti e che sembrano convinte che dovrebbe essere grato di avere ereditato un titolo così antico, e che lo ritengono anche poco più di un selvaggio. Durante le lunghe conversazioni con Elsbeth, che era molto più vicina allo zio della sua stessa moglie, Connor viene a scoprire cose del padre che non ha mai saputo, e tramite i ricordi della ragazza si rende conto che Graham era molto simile al precedente Duca, che negli ultimi anni aveva tentato invano di riprendere i rapporti con il fratello. Nonostante Elsbeth cominci a diventare per lui più di una tentazione, non intende indugiare più del dovuto e si adopera per vendere al più presto ciò che non è vincolato al titolo, ma improvvisamente la sua vita viene messa in pericolo sempre più spesso. E mentre Connor ed Elsbeth si avvicinano sempre di più, il fantasma della Dama Bianca, che da secoli veglia sui Duchi di Lothian, comincia ad apparire con sempre più frequenza.
Connor è un uomo ricchissimo, il suo ranch ha una tale estensione che per essere governato al meglio è stato diviso in quattro settori. È abituato a lavorare duramente, e mal sopporta i continui inchini e l’essere chiamato “Sua Grazia”. Inoltre, non ha una grande stima dei suoi parenti acquisiti, considerandoli quasi dei parassiti. Quando si accorge di come la gente della tenuta sia legata alla terra e al titolo, si adopera perché il nuovo acquirente non cambi le cose e si preoccupi per loro, ma questo non cambia il suo enorme desiderio di tornare a casa e di lasciarsi tutto alle spalle. Il paesaggio e il clima non gli piacciono, troppo abituato alla libertà delle enormi estensioni che percorre ogni giorno. L’unica persona che trova interessante e gli piace ogni giorno di più è Elsbeth. Gli è bastato infatti poco tempo per rendersi conto di quanto quella giovane donna lavori affinché tutto sia perfetto, sia dentro che fuori casa, attenta alla sua gente e agli allevamenti, nonostante non faccia parte del Clan McCraigh. La loro crescente intimità viene notata anche dalla vedova del precedente Duca, che non esita a proporre alla giovane un incarico scellerato affinché lo convinca a non vendere. Ma qualcuno è intenzionato a fermarlo in modo ben diverso.
Pur se scritto con lo stile piacevole e scorrevole della Ranney, non posso dire che questo libro mi abbia entusiasmato più di tanto. La storia di per sé è interessante solo per il modo di fare di Connor, così diverso e contrapposto alle tante ipocrisie della nobiltà. Il suo modo di trattare la gente, con pari dignità e la stessa familiarità che usa a casa sua, gli provoca più di una critica in un ambiente in cui non si parla alla servitù. La storia d’amore tra lui e Elsbeth poi non risulta particolarmente romantica né passionale e tutto rimane, almeno per quanto mi riguarda, abbastanza tiepido, tanto che la protagonista si rende conto che Connor la ama davvero solo nelle ultime pagine. Non brutto, ma niente che col tempo ricorderò in modo particolare.
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Lucia63 - per RFS

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Connor McCraight is on his way to Bealadair, in the Highlands, in January. The Texan is bored, restless, grumpy, and so cold. Connor hadn’t known about relatives in Scotland, and certainly not that he was now a Duke. His reception at the estate is even colder than the weather: the staff and the Dowager Duchess and her three daughters fear they will be thrown out when THE TEXAN DUKE assumes his title. Connor wants only to sell everything and go back to Texas, although the lovely, and welcoming, substitute housekeeper Elsbeth Carew catches his eye. Elsbeth is something of a poor relation, although she will have the means to seek shelter elsewhere if the new Duke does indeed evict them all. But he is a handsome one, that peculiar stranger…

THE TEXAN DUKE is a lovely variation on the opposites attract theme. Connor is well out of his element, but he remains sweet and charming to everyone who deserves it, and few people are happy of his presence and what it entails. I loved how Ms. Ranney made me see the situation – and Scotland – through Elsbeth and Connor’s perspectives; the descriptions are breathtaking and could well imagine myself in the Highlands, and I did feel the cold! Connor doesn’t take to well to the class distinctions, which was very entertaining, except for this ubiquitous anachronism of having the Duke calling the housekeeper Mabel, while everyone else calls her Mrs. Ferguson; this is impolite, even by today’s standards, and even worse, having Mrs. Ferguson calling him Connor; since it is unfortunately all too common in historical romance, I did not take it into consideration in my rating.

Karen Ranney writes superb secondary characters, even minor ones: I thought Mr. Stuyvesant was adorable! But oh the deviousness, the machinations, the pettiness of some of those aristocrats! THE TEXAN DUKE was a fabulous read until it hit the three-quarter mark, and that’s when a whole star fell. Connor and Elsbeth were obviously attracted to each other, had shared a few kisses, and all of a sudden Elsbeth became consumed by an raging desire and a blazing passion for Connor that seemed to come out of nowhere. It felt as if one or two chapters of lusting after and longing were missing and to have an pretext to insert a couple of sex scenes, which were unnecessary given that there really was no build-up to speak of. Some of what is to follow might sound a bit cryptic, but it’s all in the name of not giving away spoilers: although I intensely dislike miscommunications misunderstandings, a suggestion that was made to Elsbeth should have provoked some negative reaction from Connor, but nothing happened and it felt a bit odd. Then Elsbeth started acting all out of character, rather irrationally, without any reason, not even for storyline purposes; it could have been easily worked out otherwise. Also, a character did a complete one-eighty when encountering a fetching “pair of trousers”; said character could have written slightly otherwise at the beginning without any major changes to the story.

Elsbeth was wonderful until her moment of literary insanity, but Connor was truly a marvellous hero: he is not a womaniser, he admires and respects Elsbeth for who she is and what she is; he remained splendid until the very end. The mystery was also quite clever, as someone is trying to get rid of Connor, and this was very well done, as I had a few suspects in mind, and I really didn’t know who was the villain; I was a bit perplexed at the resolution, but then again, it was logical considering the people involved. It’s really too bad that some seams unravelled towards the end, because before that, the story is really gorgeous and enchanting, and Connor is a dream!


I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. It opened with a very unhappy Connor, a born and bred Texan, in Scotland, in the middle of winter. It seems he is the new Duke of Lothian, something he didn't expect and certainly doesn't want. He plans to see the property and then sell it as soon as he can and go back to Texas.

Elsbeth became the ward of the late Duke at the age of eight when her parents died. She shared his love of the history and people of Bealadair and had devoted herself to its care and keeping. She worries about what will happen to them when the new Duke sells.

I liked both Connor and Elsbeth. Connor is a good man. He treats everyone the same, from servant on up. He's definitely out of his element but does the best he can while hanging on to his personal values. It was fun to watch his reactions to some of the differences. I enjoyed his reaction to the Highland cows. Though a bit close-minded at the beginning, some of his attitude changed as Elsbeth showed him around the property. Elsbeth is kind of stuck between two worlds. She has never felt truly part of the family outside of her relationship with the late duke. She gets a great deal of satisfaction out of the work she does for the estate.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Connor and Elsbeth. Connor was fascinated and smitten from the moment he met her. I loved watching him find any opportunity to spend time with her. Elsbeth was a little warier. She was equally fascinated by him, but knowing that he has no intention of staying in Scotland makes her determined not to give in to those feelings. I liked seeing her efforts to show him the beauty of Bealadair and its people. As they spent time together, the feelings and attraction grew. I loved their protectiveness toward each other during and after the shooting, and Connor's respect Elsbeth grew even more. I ached a bit for Elsbeth, who believed that there was no future for her with Connor, even as she gave in to her desire for him. Connor knew what he wanted, but he was a bit of a bonehead and didn't say anything to her about his feelings, wanting to get all his plans in place. This nearly backfired on him as she went about her plans. The ending was good, though not quite the romantic scene that Connor had planned. I would have liked an epilogue showing her reaction to Texas. I will say I wasn't surprised by Connor's solution to the problem of selling the estate, though there was an interesting twist included.

There was also a bit of suspense to the story. Connor's plans to sell don't sit well with everybody. After a couple of so-called "accidents," he and Elsbeth have to admit that someone is trying to kill him, though they don't know why. He's made it clear that the place will be sold no matter what happens to him. There are several possibilities as to who is behind it. It was interesting to see that it was Elsbeth who figured out the who and the motivation.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked Connor and Elsbeth's story, even though OMG he waited until the last possible minute to make his big move. (Seriously, dude, what were you thinking???) Still, the story of the ward of the 13th Duke of Lothian and the 14th Duke kept me turning the pages, wondering how they could possibly manage to be together yet each still get what they wanted and take care of the people they cared about. Ms. Ranney did an admirable job of resolving their problems--I'll freely admit that I didn't at all see one of her bigger solutions to their problems coming, but it worked out well.

Though this is the third book in the Duke Trilogy, it--like the other two--really is a standalone that just happens to be about a duke. Don't let the fact that you haven't read the other two keep you from picking up this one (but seriously, read the other two. I really enjoyed this series!)

Rating: 4 stars / A-

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Jessica Grogan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad to see this great series end but looking forward to what Ms. Ranney will publish in the future!

While I personally liked the second title in this series the best, this was still a very solid installment.

Dukes are all well and good but sometimes it's nice to meet one that wasn't born a duke. This is what we get with Connor. His reluctance to be duke makes for an enjoyable read and I really, really liked him.

I enjoyed the overall plot of this story and watching these two people come together and fall in love. There may have been a few slow spots, but nothing that I felt I had to force myself through to keep reading.

Will definitely be reading more from Karen Ranney!!



*An eARC was provided by Edelweiss and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Susan (susayq ~) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was pretty good...decidedly different than most Duke romances. This time our Duke inherits the title knowing nothing about it because he was raised in Texas. He begrudgingly goes to Scotland with the intent to get rid of the stuff there and go back home. What he doesn't plan on is falling in love.

I liked Elsbeth. She was a woman that got things done. Connor was alright. Nothing too terribly fantastic, but not bad. I felt like this was a bit repetitive with him lamenting that he wanted to go home to Texas and her worrying over when and if he would sell the properties. The last 30% or so was really good and I couldn't put it down.

*thanks to the publisher and Pure Textuality PR for sharing a copy of this with me*

[Isha Coleman · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Texan Duke by Karen Ranney  
The mass of emotions illicited by The Texan Duke is breathtaking.  With a steady hand and a vivid imagination Ms. Ranney turns chaos into serenity.  The tawdry tale of lust, intrigue, dangerous liaisons and emotional upheaval can turn on a dime.  Connor and Elsbeth are thrust into a world where nothing is what it seems.  As the tension loosens and the links in the chain are exposed, a sweetheart of a romance takes hold and stakes a claim on the most priceless of treasures.  A reader's heart. (3.5 stars)
 

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not too far into this story of the unexpected and unwilling American heir to a title, I started to make assumptions about the future of the story, the characters, and the inevitable resolution of the angst. I sort of worked my way through the book in a few sittings, and the more I read, the more I realized that I perhaps I DIDN'T in fact know where all this was going and "know" the characters as well as I thought I did.

Connor, our unwilling Duke from Texas, has no plans to stay in Scotland any longer than it takes to sell the land and settle the estate. Of course, it's never that simple, and the story follow his path to understanding that there's some positives in his inheritance and new role. Elsbeth is the former Duke's ward now trying to find her place in a world where she no longer feels part of the family. There's a lot of family dynamics and drama involved, and in the end the resolution isn't what I expected from this theme. Some danger, some drama, and some unexpected character development made this a much more enjoyable read in the end than I expected at the start.


(advanced copy obtained from publisher)

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Karen Ranney's book, The Texas Duke. The story of Connor McCraight takes place in 1869. As the last male McCraight, Connor is now the 14th Duke of Lothian and Laird of Clan McCraight. This means traveling from his home in Texas to the Bealadair estate in Scotland where his aunt, 3 female cousins, and Elsbeth Carew (the girl who was taken in by his uncle when her parents died) live. As Connor learns about his ancestral home and gets to know his relatives and workers, he prefers the time he gets to spend with Elsbeth. Someone isn't happy with his position, however, as his life is threatened on more than one occasion. Elsbeth's life reminded me of Cinderella. She seems to manage everything at the estate without being paid! This book held my attention from beginning to end. I liked the characters and I liked the way the story ended.

[Camila · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was weird. I liked Connor, but I don't remember the lady's name and I just finished reading the book. That's not a good sign. I liked the history, the romance between the dutchess and Sam, but that thing of him going back and leaving everyrhing was just off putting. It is maybe because I have recently read A borrowed scot, which is simmilar but the hero stays. I liked that far better.
I do Believe that from the Duke's trilogy my favourite by far was the first book.

[Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a big fat waste of time. The characters, plot and writing all lacked depth. In fact, this, my review, is more exciting than any chapter of this book.

[EileenNH · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing. There was not enough substance in the story.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pour avoir déjà lu des romances historiques de l’auteure, je sais que ses histoires ne sont pas centrées sur la romance, mais plutôt sur les personnages et leurs désirs profonds. Ce titre ne déroge pas à la règle.

Connor, Texan pur souche et nouvel héritier du duché écossais de Lothian, décide de se rendre en Écosse, le pays dont est originaire son père, pour évaluer ses nouvelles possessions. Son objectif est simple : venir jeter un coup d’œil, vendre ce qui peut l’être et repartir dans son Amérique natale pour continuer à faire prospérer son ranch. Mais à peine arrivé, il comprend que les choses ne seront pas aussi simples et qu’il va devoir s'acclimater autant à sa famille qu’au climat écossais.

Si vous recherchez une romance passionnée, avec beaucoup de dialogues enflammés, ce n’est pas le livre qu’il vous faut. Par contre, si vous voulez un personnage masculin fort, intelligent et conscient de sa place dans le monde, vous avez frappé à la bonne porte. Connor est un héros très américain dans ce monde aristocratique régi par des règles strictes (comprenez qu’il ne souhaite pas être appelé Sa Grâce et qu’il a un mot pour chaque personne de son entourage, sans différence de rang). Mon avis est un peu plus mitigé concernant l’héroïne. Elle manque un peu de peps pour la rendre vraiment intrigante, mais elle possède d’autres qualités qui la rendent attachante. Du côté des personnages secondaires, je ne peux pas dire qu’il y en ait un qui sorte du lot. La majorité de la famille de Connor est détestable. Concernant l’intrigue générale, elle est suffisamment solide pour nous tenir en haleine et surprenante.

Au final, ce livre est comme une parenthèse écossaise, avec ce qu’il faut de romance et d’intrigue pour tenir le lecteur en haleine jusqu’à la dernière page.

[Maria Griffo · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a new author for me. The book was well written, It had mystery, adventure and romance.

This is the story of Connor and Elsbeth. Connor was shocked to find out he was a Duke, His family never told him he had a brother let alone a twin or that his family held a title. Going to Scotland he learns about a family he never knew he had no does he seem to fond of them.

Elsbeth lost her family at a young age and was taken in by Connors uncle as a ward and a promise to a friend. she never really thought she belonged there and started taking up responsibilities to make sure everything went smoothly and to help the staff and clan members to occupy her time. Than when Gavin, Connors uncle dies and Conner comes to Scotland to sell the estate not wanting to be there.

He and Elsbeth are dawned to each other. As the two becomes friends and a friendship grows and a loves starts to form things beginning to happen. Can the two of them survive and find happiness?

[Alisa Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved
Elsbeth was and wasn't part of the family, yet she tried so hard to please everyone. When Connor comes in the picture and changes everything she doesn't know how to respond or behave.
Connor, the Texan, is the new Duke. He doesn't want to be a Duke. He reminds everyone that he is a Texan, no one knows what the heck that is.

The chemistry between Connor and Elsbeth is instant, I love instant chemistry. The McCraight family is, I guess typical, very "stuck up". The old Duchess is strict and all about tradition,until Sam shows up. Then we see a totally different Duchess.
I a great winter love story!

*I received my copy from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

[Natasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has enough suspense, mystery, folklore and familial relationships however it is sorely lacking romance between the two main characters.

There were hardly any kissing scenes and they behaved more like friends instead of lovers. Also this book has other family relationships thrown into the mix. The author could have omitted all of that and given the two main characters more romance time and wrote solely their story instead of adding Sam and Rhona’sstory. Also there were flashbacks from the past that the author wrote about. She devoted a lot of writing space for those flashbacks which could have been used to focus more on the present couple.

[BonnieL · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a reluctant 3 - the story had real potential and some of it was interesting - but the constant repetition by the hero about how he wanted nothing to do with Scotland, nothing to do with the title he had inherited and how he intended to cash out everything so he could return to Texas became tiresome and boring. How could this person who is so supposedly kind to everyone be so focused on his return to Texas that he proposed selling everything and leaving all his tenants and staff to the mercy of whoever bought the unentailed assets? This petulant approach to life cost the title at least one star.

[Wendy Tavenner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Conner inherits a Dukedom in Scotland which he never new he had family or that his father was from there and he was a twin. Elsbeth had lived as a ward of the 13th Duke since she was 8 years old. When they find out the new 14th Duke is from America a Texan and they are worried on what he might due. When someone shoots Conner, he and Elsbeth believes he’s being targeted for selling the Scottish Estate. A wonderful book where it seems it took him coming across the ocean to find love with a wee Scottish lass.

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed seeing Connor and Elsbeth's relationship slowly grow into romance. These are two opposites who are drawn to each other - Connor, a Texan who truly loves and can't wait to return to his home and life in Texas, and Elsbeth, a Scot who is dedicated to the McCraight ancestral home and the people who live there. This dichotomy seems insoluble and is a recurrent theme throughout The Texan Duke. Add to this an attempted murder mystery and a secondary romance and the book is a very fast read. Another great romance by Karen Ranney.

[Margerm, Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

The H's father was a twin whose brother was a duke in Scotland. When a woman chose to marry the duke, the H's father left Scotland, moved to Texas and didn't speak about the family left behind. Born in Texas, the H feels no connection to the estate and family (an aunt and cousins). Land rich and cash poor, he just wants to sell the property and return to Texas and his enormous ranch. The h is a ward of the late duke. They were very close. She runs all aspects of the estate. After a few "accidents" , it is obvious that someone is trying to kill the H.

[Sandy Frediani · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit of a different take on an American inheriting a title, which gives the story a different feel. While a bit ambivalent going in, I found that I did enjoy it quite a bit. There's also enough - I don't quite know what to call them - ends(?), but they're not loose ends. Whatever you want to call them, there's enough to expand the story in several places, like between Gavin and Graham, and Sam and Rhona, for example.

[Artemissia G · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️✨ - 2,5 étoiles

Dans l’ensemble, j’ai passé un moment sympathique même si la romance entre les héros n’est pas ce que j’ai le plus aimé ici. Non, ce qui m’a véritablement plu, c’est l’univers et l’ambiance qui se dégage du décor implanté par l’autrice. C’est très vivant à défaut d’être tout à fait captivant. Ma chronique sur Songe d'une nuit d'été : https://songedunenuitdete.com/2018/09...

[Melann · Rating 4 out of 5]

J'ai enchaîné les 3 tomes de la série car je suis tellement en retard sur les publications A&P que j'essaye d'être stratège (il faudrait que j'essaye de faire la même chose pour quelques séries qui trainent dans la PAL...).

Donc concernant ce tome, dans la même veine que les deux précédents. J'ai apprécié ce couple qui fonctionne bien.
J'aurai aimé que le livre se poursuive sur le retour au Texas. Le héros nous l'a si bien vendu que je suis déçue finalement de ne pas en voir la couleur.

[Ishita Deshmukh · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story has a similar backdrop as most of the author's other books. Cold Scotland, harsh weather, difficult landscape etc. However, I liked that she has really tried to bring in the American spirit and show the difference as opposed to the Scottish spirit. The style is good and the story though predictable was sweet and romantic. The mysterious elements could have played a little larger role. I enjoyed the ending, which was practical, realistic, and yet very romantic.

[iStarr · Rating 3 out of 5]

2nd best of The Dukes trilogy.

Book 1 was, by far, the best book of the trilogy. This book is full of humour due to the fact that the hero is a rancher from Texas and doesn’t wish the be the 14th Duke of Lothian, which he had never heard of until his uncle died and Connor inherits the title and lands.

As a Ranney series, this one is Meh!😑 Not extraordinary, but a fluff read for lack of a better word.