Rating: 
Summary: A Great Second Book For The Highland Lords!!
Review: A great book full of emotion and history. Alisdair and Iseabal's story is very moving. Iseabal has escaped a life of terror when she marries Alisdair. She is sold to him with his families land by her nasty father. Alisdar is not sure how a marriage will help him since his dream is to build the fastest boat on the high seas. Together they find out how important love is to life. Alisdair has come to England to turn down the Earldom and return to Nova Scotia. While in England he finds out that he can do more for his family and his new wife at the same time follow his dreams if he accepts the Earldom. He does this and then heads back to Scotland his souls home and sets out to fulfill his dreams along side the most important person in the world to him his new wife Iseabal. But something happens before that tests both Alisdar and Iseabal. Of course the path of true love has many bumps and twists and this story is no different. Set in both Scotand and England there is plenty of love and emotion in this book.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Second Book For The Highland Lords!!
Review: A great book full of emotion and history. Alisdair and Iseabal's story is very moving. Iseabal has escaped a life of terror when she marries Alisdair. She is sold to him with his families land by her nasty father. Alisdar is not sure how a marriage will help him since his dream is to build the fastest boat on the high seas. Together they find out how important love is to life. Alisdair has come to England to turn down the Earldom and return to Nova Scotia. While in England he finds out that he can do more for his family and his new wife at the same time follow his dreams if he accepts the Earldom. He does this and then heads back to Scotland his souls home and sets out to fulfill his dreams along side the most important person in the world to him his new wife Iseabal. But something happens before that tests both Alisdar and Iseabal. Of course the path of true love has many bumps and twists and this story is no different. Set in both Scotand and England there is plenty of love and emotion in this book.
Rating:
Summary: Worthy of fanfare
Review: Alisdair MacRae's ancestral land has gone to sheep. Literally. As the first MacRae to set eyes on Gilmuir, the clan's former stronghold, in nigh on three decades, Alisdair is unprepared for the ties of kinship such majestic ruins -- warm and golden in the sunlight -- call forth in him. Although naught but a detour on his voyage to London, Alisdair's impulsive visit to the land of his forbearers is needlessly complicated by Magnus Drummond, a greedy neighbor whose sheep are trespassing on MacRae land. Drummond's winsome daughter, Iseabal, is likewise caught trespassing on what Alisdair considers to be MacRae property. Her motives for doing so are pure, however. The artist inside of Iseabal is both awed and inspired by Gilmuir and its former grandeur (as her mind sees it). Her father's decree to avoid venturing onto said land is far from a successful deterrent. His disapproval is a force to be reckoned with, aye, but it pales in comparison to the call of the land: Land that her father now owns, although he has done little with it but rape the soil. Outraged to learn that Gilmuir now rests in the hands of Magnus Drummond, Alisdair offers to pay a small fortune to reclaim it. He doesn't have the time or inclination to stake his lawful claim through the courts. Instead, he agrees to an unholy bargain between the devil and his surprisingly sweet daughter, Iseabal. A hasty marriage is arranged, and Alisdair's plans for the future are smote to ash for the sake of familial honor. When all is settled, Alisdair and his reluctant bride leave the craggy shores of Scotland behind for a brief journey to England. (Alisdair is determined to turn down an earldom; hence, his real reason for journeying to Britain from Nova Scotia, and leaving the family's shipping company in his brothers' hands). It is an uneventful voyage for all intents and purposes. Iseabal gradually lowers her defenses, however, and embraces the possibilities incumbent of marriage. Alisdair, meanwhile, is hopeful of obtaining an annulment. Why his chest should feel so ungodly tight at the thought is any fool's guess. Still, there's something about Iseabal and her glowing green eyes, her raven's wing hair and her alabaster skin that seduces him without even trying... WHEN THE LAIRD RETURNS is a triumphant piece of romantic fiction worthy of ebullient and effusive fanfare. There is a simple beauty and an elegance to Ms. Ranney's prose that's both sweetly evocative and utterly absorbing. Iseabal is a unique heroine for the time period. She is a woman of stoic silence, and possesses a surprising inner strength, true. She also has a talent for carving stone into rapturous works of art. Her complex nature is something of an enigma to Alisdair. He learns to treasure her hidden depths, however, and to gradually release the secrets dwelling in her emerald- bright eyes. His callous treatment of Iseabal and his failure to think of her feelings are but brief failings on his part. Alisdair is intrigued, bewitched and beguiled by his new bride. It simply takes a wee bit of time for him to realize that he doesn't want to let her go -- ever. When he capitulates to such yearnings, the tone of this novel becomes increasingly tender and sensually charged. Layer by layer, Iseabal and Alisdair strip away all pretense and fear. Lost hope is resurrected by the promise of new beginnings. Of course, rough waters inevitably interfere with their journey of awakening and self-discovery. For some reason, I felt a niggling sense of dissatisfaction upon reaching the end of this novel. I craved an expanded ending, I suppose, one where Alisdair and Iseabal are able to revel in their love. All told, however, WHEN THE LAIRD RETURNS is a novel written in a pure, compelling voice. It has an interesting historical backdrop and a leading couple who are each other's home and haven, whom cherish each other like the sun cherishes the earth. A reader will understandably be returning for more of Ms. Ranney's Highland Lords series.
Rating:
Summary: Worthy of fanfare
Review: Alisdair MacRae's ancestral land has gone to sheep. Literally. As the first MacRae to set eyes on Gilmuir, the clan's former stronghold, in nigh on three decades, Alisdair is unprepared for the ties of kinship such majestic ruins -- warm and golden in the sunlight -- call forth in him. Although naught but a detour on his voyage to London, Alisdair's impulsive visit to the land of his forbearers is needlessly complicated by Magnus Drummond, a greedy neighbor whose sheep are trespassing on MacRae land. Drummond's winsome daughter, Iseabal, is likewise caught trespassing on what Alisdair considers to be MacRae property. Her motives for doing so are pure, however. The artist inside of Iseabal is both awed and inspired by Gilmuir and its former grandeur (as her mind sees it). Her father's decree to avoid venturing onto said land is far from a successful deterrent. His disapproval is a force to be reckoned with, aye, but it pales in comparison to the call of the land: Land that her father now owns, although he has done little with it but rape the soil. Outraged to learn that Gilmuir now rests in the hands of Magnus Drummond, Alisdair offers to pay a small fortune to reclaim it. He doesn't have the time or inclination to stake his lawful claim through the courts. Instead, he agrees to an unholy bargain between the devil and his surprisingly sweet daughter, Iseabal. A hasty marriage is arranged, and Alisdair's plans for the future are smote to ash for the sake of familial honor. When all is settled, Alisdair and his reluctant bride leave the craggy shores of Scotland behind for a brief journey to England. (Alisdair is determined to turn down an earldom; hence, his real reason for journeying to Britain from Nova Scotia, and leaving the family's shipping company in his brothers' hands). It is an uneventful voyage for all intents and purposes. Iseabal gradually lowers her defenses, however, and embraces the possibilities incumbent of marriage. Alisdair, meanwhile, is hopeful of obtaining an annulment. Why his chest should feel so ungodly tight at the thought is any fool's guess. Still, there's something about Iseabal and her glowing green eyes, her raven's wing hair and her alabaster skin that seduces him without even trying... WHEN THE LAIRD RETURNS is a triumphant piece of romantic fiction worthy of ebullient and effusive fanfare. There is a simple beauty and an elegance to Ms. Ranney's prose that's both sweetly evocative and utterly absorbing. Iseabal is a unique heroine for the time period. She is a woman of stoic silence, and possesses a surprising inner strength, true. She also has a talent for carving stone into rapturous works of art. Her complex nature is something of an enigma to Alisdair. He learns to treasure her hidden depths, however, and to gradually release the secrets dwelling in her emerald- bright eyes. His callous treatment of Iseabal and his failure to think of her feelings are but brief failings on his part. Alisdair is intrigued, bewitched and beguiled by his new bride. It simply takes a wee bit of time for him to realize that he doesn't want to let her go -- ever. When he capitulates to such yearnings, the tone of this novel becomes increasingly tender and sensually charged. Layer by layer, Iseabal and Alisdair strip away all pretense and fear. Lost hope is resurrected by the promise of new beginnings. Of course, rough waters inevitably interfere with their journey of awakening and self-discovery. For some reason, I felt a niggling sense of dissatisfaction upon reaching the end of this novel. I craved an expanded ending, I suppose, one where Alisdair and Iseabal are able to revel in their love. All told, however, WHEN THE LAIRD RETURNS is a novel written in a pure, compelling voice. It has an interesting historical backdrop and a leading couple who are each other's home and haven, whom cherish each other like the sun cherishes the earth. A reader will understandably be returning for more of Ms. Ranney's Highland Lords series.
Rating: 
Summary: Superb Prose and Sensual Imagery
Review: Book 2 of the Highland Lords takes us to the next generation of MacRae's and you will find it to be just as compelling as the first. Sailing from his home in Nova Scotia, Alisdair MacRae, captain of the Fortitude and descendant of proud Scottish lairds, has sailed into the Loch below the ruins of Gilmuir once the stately home of clan MacRae. Alisdair's objective was to reclaim his birthright but the very odious Magnus Drummond has claimed the Gilmuir lands and will sell them back to the MacRae. Not only was he asking for a small fortune but he would also have the MacRae wed his daughter Iseabal. Not wanting a wife, but knowing this to be the only way to reclaim the land - Alisdair agrees thinking to annul the marriage as soon as possible. Iseabal had lived a life in fear of the very cruel man she called father, being dutiful was her only way to avoid pain. Earlier, that day, Alisdair, not knowing who she was, had rescued her after she had fallen into a pit at the ruins of Gilmuir, therefore she was surprised to find that she would be married to this very tall and handsome stranger, Alisdair MacRae.. In the beginning Alisdair is portrayed as honorable - in that he cares for Iseabal's injuries, and her comfort - yet he doesn't - in the beginning - try to discover much about the very stoic and complex person that is his wife. He is quite kind to her, treating her injuries and she came to trust him and actually looked forward to performing her wifely duties only to discover, accidentally, that Alisdair would be and annulling their marriage. Iseabal, had grown up never able to voice her feelings in a household devoid of warmth, love and human kindness, but she had come to care for him so realizing that he would be repudiating her she hid her hurt behind the wall of silence she was so adept at keeping. I loved the intense way this amazing love story comes together for these two people as once again, the author gives us interesting multi-dimensional characters, with strengths and flaws that made them all too human. Iseabal raised in fear and abuse with so much anger, so much pride and not enough trust. Alisdair was raised with love and honor - not seeking to change his life with a woman he had not sought but then finding that she was the woman he had always expected. This was a very moving story with fabulous sensual imagery, good historic background, very fast paced and with enough edge of your seat excitement to keep you interested. You can always expect superb prose from this author who has yet to disappoint me.
Rating:
Summary: Superb Prose and Sensual Imagery
Review: Book 2 of the Highland Lords takes us to the next generation of MacRae's and you will find it to be just as compelling as the first. Sailing from his home in Nova Scotia, Alisdair MacRae, captain of the Fortitude and descendant of proud Scottish lairds, has sailed into the Loch below the ruins of Gilmuir once the stately home of clan MacRae. Alisdair's objective was to reclaim his birthright but the very odious Magnus Drummond has claimed the Gilmuir lands and will sell them back to the MacRae. Not only was he asking for a small fortune but he would also have the MacRae wed his daughter Iseabal. Not wanting a wife, but knowing this to be the only way to reclaim the land - Alisdair agrees thinking to annul the marriage as soon as possible. Iseabal had lived a life in fear of the very cruel man she called father, being dutiful was her only way to avoid pain. Earlier, that day, Alisdair, not knowing who she was, had rescued her after she had fallen into a pit at the ruins of Gilmuir, therefore she was surprised to find that she would be married to this very tall and handsome stranger, Alisdair MacRae.. In the beginning Alisdair is portrayed as honorable - in that he cares for Iseabal's injuries, and her comfort - yet he doesn't - in the beginning - try to discover much about the very stoic and complex person that is his wife. He is quite kind to her, treating her injuries and she came to trust him and actually looked forward to performing her wifely duties only to discover, accidentally, that Alisdair would be and annulling their marriage. Iseabal, had grown up never able to voice her feelings in a household devoid of warmth, love and human kindness, but she had come to care for him so realizing that he would be repudiating her she hid her hurt behind the wall of silence she was so adept at keeping. I loved the intense way this amazing love story comes together for these two people as once again, the author gives us interesting multi-dimensional characters, with strengths and flaws that made them all too human. Iseabal raised in fear and abuse with so much anger, so much pride and not enough trust. Alisdair was raised with love and honor - not seeking to change his life with a woman he had not sought but then finding that she was the woman he had always expected. This was a very moving story with fabulous sensual imagery, good historic background, very fast paced and with enough edge of your seat excitement to keep you interested. You can always expect superb prose from this author who has yet to disappoint me.
Rating:
Summary: Great...
Review: I've read a couple of books by this author now and NONE can be called boring. Plots are a little lame but the romance is certainly there and the love the characters are supposed to feel for each other is believable.
Rating:
Summary: A Beautifully written and enjoyable book
Review: In 1775, Nova Scotia ship builder and sea captain Alisdair MacRae learns that Magnus Drummond absconded with his ancestral lands in Scotland when no MacRae claimed the property. Though he had no plans to even see the estate, Alisdair decides to reclaim what is his heritage. To regain the MacRae estate, Alisdair must buy it back from Magnus, but the stipulation includes marrying the laird's daughter Iseabal.
Alisdair does not want a wife, but accepts the terms. Iseabal sees Alisdair as her hero enabling her to escape from her abusive father. She knows he plans to dump her in London by annulling their vows, but instead of folding she campaigns to earn his love and more important his trust. As Alisdair and Iseabal fall in love, her father pulls one more dastardly deed that leaves the couple wondering can they entrust their soul with the person whom has their heart?
Fans of Scottish historical romances will enjoy the passion of the lead characters set in a richly textured eighteenth century Scotland. Iseabal is a wonderful protagonist while Alisdair is a reluctant hero in every sense of the word though he cares intensely about Iseabal's plight. The story line is typical of the sub-genre except that the historical depth enables the key duo to turn the pages into a compassionate reading experience. As with the first book of the Highland Lords ONE MAN'S LOVE, WHEN THE LAIRD RETURNS showcases Karen Ranney's ability to hook her fans into deeply feeling responsibility for what happens to her characters. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: engaging Scottish historical romance
Review: In 1775, Nova Scotia ship builder and sea captain Alisdair MacRae learns that Magnus Drummond absconded with his ancestral lands in Scotland when no MacRae claimed the property. Though he had no plans to even see the estate, Alisdair decides to reclaim what is his heritage. To regain the MacRae estate, Alisdair must buy it back from Magnus, but the stipulation includes marrying the laird's daughter Iseabal.
Alisdair does not want a wife, but accepts the terms. Iseabal sees Alisdair as her hero enabling her to escape from her abusive father. She knows he plans to dump her in London by annulling their vows, but instead of folding she campaigns to earn his love and more important his trust. As Alisdair and Iseabal fall in love, her father pulls one more dastardly deed that leaves the couple wondering can they entrust their soul with the person whom has their heart?
Fans of Scottish historical romances will enjoy the passion of the lead characters set in a richly textured eighteenth century Scotland. Iseabal is a wonderful protagonist while Alisdair is a reluctant hero in every sense of the word though he cares intensely about Iseabal's plight. The story line is typical of the sub-genre except that the historical depth enables the key duo to turn the pages into a compassionate reading experience. As with the first book of the Highland Lords ONE MAN'S LOVE, WHEN THE LAIRD RETURNS showcases Karen Ranney's ability to hook her fans into deeply feeling responsibility for what happens to her characters. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: LEGACY OF LOVE
Review: In the second of the Highland Lords series, Ranney again focuses on the relationship between two lovers in the next generation of MacRaes. Although Alisdair and Iseabal are thrown together as part of a vicious plot to control the land, they grow to know and love each other because of their shared commitment to the MacRae legacy. So many times, when a book ends, the reader is left to speculate about what happens next. With Book Two, we are moved forward 30 years. We are able to learn what happened to Ian and Leitis after they left Scotland in Book One, and we are also able to look into the next generation and discover how the parents' legacy is handled with equal care by their oldest son.
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