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A Promise of Love
Twice-widowed Judith Cuthbertson becomes the reluctant bride of Alisdair MacLeod, the new laird of a once great clan, and, despite her determined defiance, finds herself drawn to the passionate stranger to whom she is wed.
319 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 1997
15 people are currently reading
397 people want to read
About the author
Karen Ranney
100 books947 followersI’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.
Newsletter: http://karenranney.com/subscribe-warm...
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WriterKarenRa...
Website: http://karenranney.com
Email: karen@karenranney.com
Twitter: @Karen_Ranney
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.
Newsletter: http://karenranney.com/subscribe-warm...
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WriterKarenRa...
Website: http://karenranney.com
Email: karen@karenranney.com
Twitter: @Karen_Ranney
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 11, 2009
First of all, a warning to those Gentle Readers (you know who you are). This is a very violent novel, mostly because the villain is one of those sadistic rapists/killers, straight out of a Diana Gabaldon work, and his crimes are described in graphic detail.
Numerous times.
With its post-Culloden setting and story-telling hero and all those rapes, I was reminded of the Outlander series a lot reading this book. And as with the Outlander books, my feelings for A Promise of Love are pretty similar — I like the prose, like the writer’s voice, am indifferent to the Scottish settings and characters, and am not engrossed enough emotionally with the H/H to not mind the graphic violence occurring too frequently for my taste.
I am not that familiar with Karen Ranney. This is the third book I have read of hers, after Till Next We Meet (B+) and Tapestry (her first novel which I would grade a B) and these other two Ranney books werent as violent.
Numerous times.
With its post-Culloden setting and story-telling hero and all those rapes, I was reminded of the Outlander series a lot reading this book. And as with the Outlander books, my feelings for A Promise of Love are pretty similar — I like the prose, like the writer’s voice, am indifferent to the Scottish settings and characters, and am not engrossed enough emotionally with the H/H to not mind the graphic violence occurring too frequently for my taste.
I am not that familiar with Karen Ranney. This is the third book I have read of hers, after Till Next We Meet (B+) and Tapestry (her first novel which I would grade a B) and these other two Ranney books werent as violent.
May 15, 2011
where do i start? this was a dark story. the heroine had truly faced some demons...mostly in the form of her dead husbands whom she had not freely chosen...
she was given away by her father for some free sheep...ends up in Scotland not long after Culloden...and before she knows it married to the laird of the castle Tynan. from there, it develops into a story about england v. scotland, heroine v. the clan, and other life lessons such as how to cope when terrrible things happen...
i loved the hero. he was a an alpha male but tinged with the right amount of humility and compassion, and love. he helped the heroine overcome her scarred spirit/past.
i couldn't put it down. i loved the character development. the heroine's scarring was so deep that it took her most of the book to come out of it. it was because of the hero's love, patience, and tenderness. he drew her out of the dark into the light.
wonderful read by one of my fave authors...
she was given away by her father for some free sheep...ends up in Scotland not long after Culloden...and before she knows it married to the laird of the castle Tynan. from there, it develops into a story about england v. scotland, heroine v. the clan, and other life lessons such as how to cope when terrrible things happen...
i loved the hero. he was a an alpha male but tinged with the right amount of humility and compassion, and love. he helped the heroine overcome her scarred spirit/past.
i couldn't put it down. i loved the character development. the heroine's scarring was so deep that it took her most of the book to come out of it. it was because of the hero's love, patience, and tenderness. he drew her out of the dark into the light.
wonderful read by one of my fave authors...
July 19, 2022
Ik heb de Nederlands talige uitgave gelezen : Niets te verliezen - Candlelight Historische roman 267 .
Oeioei dit is een zeer moeilijk boek om te beoordelen , er zit zoveel expliciet en misselijk makend seksueel geweld in dat ik denk dat dit boek nu niet meer in deze vorm uitgegeven zou worden ( geschreven in 1997 en de vertaling is uit 1999 ) maar ondanks dat is er toch ook de prachtige liefdes geschiedenis tussen Judith en Alisdair MacLeod .
Het verhaal speelt zich af niet lang na de door de Schotten verloren slag bij Culloden in april 1746 , en de daarop volgende onderdrukking van de Engelsen en hun pogingen om de gehele Schotse cultuur uit te wissen . Karen Ranney weeft op een mooie manier wat Schotse geschiedenis en folklore door het verhaal .
Al met al geen boek om vrolijk van te worden maar het liefdes verhaal maakt het toch ook weer wèl de moeite waard . Daarom toch maar 3 sterren .
Oeioei dit is een zeer moeilijk boek om te beoordelen , er zit zoveel expliciet en misselijk makend seksueel geweld in dat ik denk dat dit boek nu niet meer in deze vorm uitgegeven zou worden ( geschreven in 1997 en de vertaling is uit 1999 ) maar ondanks dat is er toch ook de prachtige liefdes geschiedenis tussen Judith en Alisdair MacLeod .
Het verhaal speelt zich af niet lang na de door de Schotten verloren slag bij Culloden in april 1746 , en de daarop volgende onderdrukking van de Engelsen en hun pogingen om de gehele Schotse cultuur uit te wissen . Karen Ranney weeft op een mooie manier wat Schotse geschiedenis en folklore door het verhaal .
Al met al geen boek om vrolijk van te worden maar het liefdes verhaal maakt het toch ook weer wèl de moeite waard . Daarom toch maar 3 sterren .
October 14, 2011
Warning spoilers:
Heroine, Judith, is married to a weak and Ill man who dies of pneumonia. Her father then marries her off to a soldier, Anthony Henderson. It turns out Henderson was vile and sadistic. He used to whip her, to rape her, to watch whilst other men raped and beat her and in particular his desires were shared with his psychotic brother Bennett who also raped, sodomised and beat Judith. Anthony dies and Judith made a break for freedom. Unfortunately her father was also a pig and he wants nothing to do with her and after she returns home from her first post as a governess, he trades her to a scots man, who has come to buy sheep.
Malcom likes Judith and decides that she will marry the laird of the clan macleod. He announces the marriage in front of witnesses and traps both Judith and alisdair. The book is set just a few years post Culloden and gives a good description of the hardships faced by survivors and the tyranny of the English over lords. Alisdair is an educated man who trained as a doctor but is out working the fields in order to try and ensure his clan's survival. he struggles to deal with judith's silence and her fear of him, which he does not understand. They agree a truce for 3 months and in that time, he starts to find himself intrigued by Judith.
The English patrol turns up and Bennett is with them , spots Judith and attacks her. The clan learn that she was married to an English soldier who fought against them and they feel anger and contempt at Judith. Alisdair takes Judith to the bed room with a view to consummating the marriage in anger, but once he strips her clothes from her, he sees the scars from the whip and calms down. Alisdair is a lovely hero. He is tender yet sexy and treads carefully with Judith once he realises the source of her fear. He courts her without her even realising it and gradually accustoms her to his touch and ways. Eventually the marriage is consummated and over time Judith learns that there can be pleasure between a man and a woman.
Bennett however returns and his men gang rape Maggie, judith's female friend in front of her. This brings back all the traumatic memories and again alisdair deals with this sensitively - his fear for his wife and his desire to help her are palpable.
He decides to give Judith a choice to remain with him of her own accord or leave. Judith leaves on the basis that she believes that if she stays Bennett will return to destroy everyone she loves. ( the book makes it clear that he is sadistically killing young women in the neighbourhood throughout). In fact she and Malcolm run into Bennett and he attacks them but is killed by his horse trampling him. They return to the castle and there is a hea.
This was a well written and sympathetic portrayal of a damaged heroine, gradually coming to terms with what happened and learning to forgive herself. The hero was simply wonderful. The post Culloden setting was interesting and the trauma of the clan was also extremely well done. Great book.
February 20, 2016
3,5 stars!
June 6, 2015
Good story. The author can write and describe the motivations and feelings of her characters. This allowed insight to them, specifically the female main character who is a victim of emotional, physical and sexual abuse. The author provides clear insight to the thoughts and feelings of the h and to some extent the H. I did like that this was not an insta-luv relationship, the h reacted very much in character and era for her circumstances, there is quite a bit of time for the h to become accustomed to her new surroundings to eventually lead her to make choices for the first time in her life. 4-stars.
April 22, 2018
Karen Ranney's newsletter has been offering some of her e-books for free in celebration of her 25th year as a published author. Having read so many of her novels, I was thrilled to received The Promise of Love since it is one of her novels I have not as yet read.
The Promise of Love, one of her earliest novels, does not favorably compare to the way she writes now. While the story line is interesting, it plods along at times. Too often we hear how Judith feels worthless; after a while it becomes too repetitive. Alisdair is a delightful hero, although at times he seems too good to be true, too honorable, too virtuous, and too willing to work around Judith's constant self-belittlement. How they ultimately come together to reach their HEA is not without heartbreak, but the novel's ending is very satisfying.
I still have four of her early novels (before 2001) that I have yet to read. I always look forward to novels by Karen Ranney, She is one of my favorite authors.
The Promise of Love, one of her earliest novels, does not favorably compare to the way she writes now. While the story line is interesting, it plods along at times. Too often we hear how Judith feels worthless; after a while it becomes too repetitive. Alisdair is a delightful hero, although at times he seems too good to be true, too honorable, too virtuous, and too willing to work around Judith's constant self-belittlement. How they ultimately come together to reach their HEA is not without heartbreak, but the novel's ending is very satisfying.
I still have four of her early novels (before 2001) that I have yet to read. I always look forward to novels by Karen Ranney, She is one of my favorite authors.
May 7, 2017
Perché questo romanzo di Karen Ranney non mi è piaciuto? No, non per la sua crudezza (ho premiato con 4 stelle il suo 'Upon a Wicked Time', che non si può certo definire una lettura per educande), ma perché ho trovato la storia a tratti manchevole, i personaggi incoerenti, i passaggi da una situazione all'altra (soprattutto nella parte conclusiva) poco convincenti, la 'terapia psicologica' messa in atto da Alsdair irritante e offensiva per qualunque donna con un minimo di autostima.
Dirò un'eresia, ma trovo che, nonostante tutta la pruderie che le viene (astoricamente) attribuita, Jane Austen costruisse personaggi femminili (Elizabeth, Emma, Anne, Elinor) dotati di uno spirito d'indipendenza e una forza di carattere ben superiori a quelli delle pseudo-eroine immaginate da autrici che vivono nei nostri tempi di (presunta) parità sessuale...
Dirò un'eresia, ma trovo che, nonostante tutta la pruderie che le viene (astoricamente) attribuita, Jane Austen costruisse personaggi femminili (Elizabeth, Emma, Anne, Elinor) dotati di uno spirito d'indipendenza e una forza di carattere ben superiori a quelli delle pseudo-eroine immaginate da autrici che vivono nei nostri tempi di (presunta) parità sessuale...
July 12, 2022
This book started out with promise, then got rather boring and drab. I was kind of hoping for some sort of grand adventure, or maybe some awful conflict instead of kind of an anti-climatic confrontation towards the end.
The villain is a serial killer/sadist rapist and his demise was utterly disappointing and boring.
I couldn’t decide if liked Judith or Alisdair. I liked the plot, but not the writing . I won’t be reading another book by the author. Sometimes her descriptions are confusing- are Judith’s eyes windows to her soul or dead? Which is it? Is she restrained or a spit fire?
There are much better highland books out there.
The villain is a serial killer/sadist rapist and his demise was utterly disappointing and boring.
I couldn’t decide if liked Judith or Alisdair. I liked the plot, but not the writing . I won’t be reading another book by the author. Sometimes her descriptions are confusing- are Judith’s eyes windows to her soul or dead? Which is it? Is she restrained or a spit fire?
There are much better highland books out there.
October 2, 2021
Way too much pornographic sexual content and depravity
Too bad this book was so full of literal depravity. It belongs in a lions Den book store. It does tell of the abuse of the English on the Scottish people after culloden. Makes me ashamed of my English DNA . I am very proud of my Scottish, Irish DNA. This would have been a good book except for the depraved descriptions of the English abuse. .Most of it did not have to be in this book. Not even fit for young adults!
Too bad this book was so full of literal depravity. It belongs in a lions Den book store. It does tell of the abuse of the English on the Scottish people after culloden. Makes me ashamed of my English DNA . I am very proud of my Scottish, Irish DNA. This would have been a good book except for the depraved descriptions of the English abuse. .Most of it did not have to be in this book. Not even fit for young adults!
February 8, 2019
A Promise of Love Karen Ranney
My first book to read by this author. The story moved slowly, and I began skimming pages. I had hoped to find another writer of Scottish fiction.
I do not recommend this book.
My first book to read by this author. The story moved slowly, and I began skimming pages. I had hoped to find another writer of Scottish fiction.
I do not recommend this book.
April 20, 2022
What drew my rating down was “waiting for the axe to fall”. Nice love story though.
November 3, 2013
A PROMISE OF LOVE by Karen Ranney
A Promise of Love is one of Karen Ranney’s older novels, originally published in 1997. Written in the historical romance genre, the backdrop is set against the Anglo-Scottish Culloden wars-a battle between Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Royal Troops of King George. The English have all but annihilated the Scottish people, leaving in their wake, a path of death, destruction and starvation.
The heroine, English woman Judith Cuthbertson, returns to her family’s home following the death of her second husband, but soon becomes the pawn in her father’s sale to a Scottish Lord. An arrogant and ruthless man, William Cuthbertson barters to exchange a flock of sheep, on the condition that his daughter is part of the deal. Clansman Malcolm Macleod, commissioned to purchase the sheep for the Laird, is confused with the transaction, but is well aware, that Judith hides a painful secret.
Alisdair MacLeod is a hardworking man, a proud Lord and an even prouder Scotsman, who has watched his clan’s people slowly succumbed to death by war and starvation. The brutality of the rampaging English troops, has decimated the crops, the livestock and the people. And the last thing Alisdair Macleod, the Lord of Tynan Castle wanted or needed, was an English bride-one who apparently, was despised by his people- for being an English woman- and by her father-for existing. But Alisdair slowly realizes he is falling for the mysterious English woman, who, regardless of her treatment by his clans people, is determined to show that she too, is willing to sacrifice for the good of the Scottish people. Realization hits, and Alisdair is determined to show his people, that she is and will be, the Lady MacLeod. But, Alisdair must approach with caution-they have yet to consummate their impromptu marriage.
As the days pass, Alisdair grows to love his reluctant bride, but he is unsure that Judith feels the same. But Alisdair’s grandmother sees something that neither one can see. Love.
A Promise of Love is a wonderful story. A tale of reluctant love between those thought to be enemies, and a HEA storyline that is sure to please. Alisdair has fallen, heart and soul for his accidental bride, and her decision to leave, will bring you to tears. You can’t help but think…..”say something, don’t let her go”. Karen’s love of everything romance in A Promise of Love, is sure to please for years to come.
www.thereadingcafe.com
A Promise of Love is one of Karen Ranney’s older novels, originally published in 1997. Written in the historical romance genre, the backdrop is set against the Anglo-Scottish Culloden wars-a battle between Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Royal Troops of King George. The English have all but annihilated the Scottish people, leaving in their wake, a path of death, destruction and starvation.
The heroine, English woman Judith Cuthbertson, returns to her family’s home following the death of her second husband, but soon becomes the pawn in her father’s sale to a Scottish Lord. An arrogant and ruthless man, William Cuthbertson barters to exchange a flock of sheep, on the condition that his daughter is part of the deal. Clansman Malcolm Macleod, commissioned to purchase the sheep for the Laird, is confused with the transaction, but is well aware, that Judith hides a painful secret.
Alisdair MacLeod is a hardworking man, a proud Lord and an even prouder Scotsman, who has watched his clan’s people slowly succumbed to death by war and starvation. The brutality of the rampaging English troops, has decimated the crops, the livestock and the people. And the last thing Alisdair Macleod, the Lord of Tynan Castle wanted or needed, was an English bride-one who apparently, was despised by his people- for being an English woman- and by her father-for existing. But Alisdair slowly realizes he is falling for the mysterious English woman, who, regardless of her treatment by his clans people, is determined to show that she too, is willing to sacrifice for the good of the Scottish people. Realization hits, and Alisdair is determined to show his people, that she is and will be, the Lady MacLeod. But, Alisdair must approach with caution-they have yet to consummate their impromptu marriage.
As the days pass, Alisdair grows to love his reluctant bride, but he is unsure that Judith feels the same. But Alisdair’s grandmother sees something that neither one can see. Love.
A Promise of Love is a wonderful story. A tale of reluctant love between those thought to be enemies, and a HEA storyline that is sure to please. Alisdair has fallen, heart and soul for his accidental bride, and her decision to leave, will bring you to tears. You can’t help but think…..”say something, don’t let her go”. Karen’s love of everything romance in A Promise of Love, is sure to please for years to come.
www.thereadingcafe.com
May 12, 2009
Karen Ranney fans will be a tad disappointed by this novel since it seems it was written early in her career and has a stereotypical storyline.
Judith is a young English widow with two marriages under her belt. He first husband was not much to speak of and her second was so sadistic that he shared her brutally with his brother and did unmentionable acts to her body and soul. She has come home to her father yet again because her second husband has died and she has no where else to turn to. Her father is sickened by her and "sells" her to an old Scots so she will no longer be a burden to him and her family.
Judith has been so abused that she no longer cares where and what happens to her. She finds herself married by proxy to Alistair a Scottish lord who at first is disgusted be what has happened and by her. Soon things change though when Alistair finds out about the abuse she suffered and how strong she really is.
Judith learns to trust her new husband and the trust turns into full blown passion and love. Thinking she is finally safe in her new home, things turn yet again when Bennet, her brother in law arrives as part of the English army and still wants to play the sadistic games with Judith.
The love scenes between Judith and Alisdair are steamy but the overall story is a bit dull. The reader feels for the character of Judith but Ranney doesn't give much insight rather then just tell rather than showing. This story isn't Ranney's best and doesn't show her present day ability as she writes now. Skip this one and stick with her present day titles.
Judith is a young English widow with two marriages under her belt. He first husband was not much to speak of and her second was so sadistic that he shared her brutally with his brother and did unmentionable acts to her body and soul. She has come home to her father yet again because her second husband has died and she has no where else to turn to. Her father is sickened by her and "sells" her to an old Scots so she will no longer be a burden to him and her family.
Judith has been so abused that she no longer cares where and what happens to her. She finds herself married by proxy to Alistair a Scottish lord who at first is disgusted be what has happened and by her. Soon things change though when Alistair finds out about the abuse she suffered and how strong she really is.
Judith learns to trust her new husband and the trust turns into full blown passion and love. Thinking she is finally safe in her new home, things turn yet again when Bennet, her brother in law arrives as part of the English army and still wants to play the sadistic games with Judith.
The love scenes between Judith and Alisdair are steamy but the overall story is a bit dull. The reader feels for the character of Judith but Ranney doesn't give much insight rather then just tell rather than showing. This story isn't Ranney's best and doesn't show her present day ability as she writes now. Skip this one and stick with her present day titles.
January 16, 2017
Conflicted feelings here
This was a romance with a dark history. There was a serial killer, multiple rapists, disturbing acts of depravity and evil. That got to me. The brutal assaults and pain the villain did overshadowed the romance almost and it was very unsettling. I will warn you this book is not for the faint of heart and some scenes utterly horrifying but in the end it was the tale of a great romance and the rebirth of the heroine. Her pain and guilt were immense. You felt it and it was overpowering but slowly the H and his Grandmother healed her abused and broken heart. I loved his patience with her and I loved her strength. It was just the evil villain was really really evil and the things he did were just awful. I almost didn't read it after the first couple of chapters. They were so dark. But I persevered and the epilogue and ending was just beautiful. So would I recommend it probably not because of the dark content. I wouldn't want someone to think I liked that kind of stuff. But the romance was beautiful and for that I give it four stars. Read at your own risk.
This was a romance with a dark history. There was a serial killer, multiple rapists, disturbing acts of depravity and evil. That got to me. The brutal assaults and pain the villain did overshadowed the romance almost and it was very unsettling. I will warn you this book is not for the faint of heart and some scenes utterly horrifying but in the end it was the tale of a great romance and the rebirth of the heroine. Her pain and guilt were immense. You felt it and it was overpowering but slowly the H and his Grandmother healed her abused and broken heart. I loved his patience with her and I loved her strength. It was just the evil villain was really really evil and the things he did were just awful. I almost didn't read it after the first couple of chapters. They were so dark. But I persevered and the epilogue and ending was just beautiful. So would I recommend it probably not because of the dark content. I wouldn't want someone to think I liked that kind of stuff. But the romance was beautiful and for that I give it four stars. Read at your own risk.
February 11, 2017
Really enjoyed this.
May 24, 2016
This was the first novel I've read by Karen Ranney and I was happily surprised! This book is filled with abuse and fear, but the love of a clan and the love of a widowed laird, brings happy endings for the main characters. Truly a wonderful read where the heroine learns the true meaning of forgiveness, acceptance, and mind-blowing love!
October 19, 2015
Twice-widowed Judith Cuthbertson has been married off to Scotsman Alisdair MacLeod, the new laird of a once-great clan. Though Judith defies her new husband at every turn, she awakens in him a passion he will battle anything to claim--even impossible, irresistible Judith herself.
March 7, 2017
Five stars!!!!!
This story is better than five stars, if I could I would give it ten! The way alisdair helped Judith find herself and how to love and be loved is a thing of beauty. Also, the way the clan was always there for each other. Finally, the history is rich in this story.
This story is better than five stars, if I could I would give it ten! The way alisdair helped Judith find herself and how to love and be loved is a thing of beauty. Also, the way the clan was always there for each other. Finally, the history is rich in this story.
June 23, 2016
I was clearing out a bookcase and found my copy from 1997. I decided to reread it, because after all, I'm on vacation and it's time to treasure former treasures.
This book stands up to the test of time! Excellent plot line, well-drawn characters and the action never lags.
This book stands up to the test of time! Excellent plot line, well-drawn characters and the action never lags.
July 31, 2012
This was not my kind of story. The heroine was annoying through out the whole book. I love a Highland story but this was very different and depressing.
February 28, 2016
Definitely not a light and fluffy read, but very well executed.
January 29, 2017
A solid read. I would have given it 4 stars if the h didn't annoy me so much.
February 3, 2017
Really liked the plot and male character. Enjoyed this book
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews