Rating: 
Summary: Reluctant
Review: I must admit that I hated the hero and had a difficult time trying to find some redeeming qualities. The further I read, the more intrigued I became until I finally realized that I had become very emotionally involved with Tess & Jared. I say good job to the author that she was able to draw me into the story and feel things, anger, disgust and finally joy and relief. Also, this is a story that I remember and have compared to other stories that I have read. That too says that the author has done a good job in telling a memorable story. Other books by Karen Ranney that I would recommend are "After The Kiss," "My Beloved" & "My True Love."
Rating: 
Summary: Disgusted
Review: I purchased two if Karen Ranney's books but if this is an accurate example of her style, I want my money back. I find no way to make any sort of sympathetic connection to the selfish jack-ass that is Jered and the stupdily naive Tessa. Honestly, although I have only read about half way through, I am ready to just burn this book to ashes. Short of self-castration, there is nothing Jered can do to win over my sympathies, and even then I doubt it would change my mind. And Tessa! Why on earth would she want to befriend someone who obviously does NOT care for her even when he confesses to admiring some of her qualities (apparently he forgot to list "idiotic" and "has no self-esteem whatsoever") When she calls herself an idiot, she's right! I am willing to just drop this book and give Ranney one last chance but if her other books turn out to be as horribly written as this one, I may throw up!
Rating: 
Summary: Sexy and Wickedly Funny
Review: I really enjoyed this book for its flawed characters. A jaded rake marries an innocent girl for begetting heirs, but she insists on trying to make a real marriage out of their union. Both Jered and Tessa were immature and stubborn, but also energetic and witty. I really liked them. It's true Jered didn't treat Tessa as a good husband, but he never led her to expect that theirs would be anything but a marriage of convenience so I didn't blame him for not going along with her plans to the contrary. When he tried to get back to his London amusements, Tessa attached herself to him like a dog with a bone. Both characters had to learn their lesson, and did. Along the way there was some very funny repartee and erotic sex. If I have one complaint it's Ranney's writing style, which was really irritating in places, esp. in the prologue and the ending. But I enjoyed the imperfect characters and their flaws, which gave the book its dark humor and zing.
Rating: 
Summary: "Sensual and charming" or arrogance meets optimism.
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed writing Upon a Wicked Time. I've beentold that I'm an emotional writer and consider that a compliment.However, Upon a Wicked Time is slightly different in that it's a conventional plot with a twist. It has been described by one reviewer as "sensual and charming". What a wonderful and paradoxical description! The characters, as usual, grabbed hold and wouldn't let go. Jered is arrogant and insensitive; Tessa is naive and hopeful. Her parents, especially her mother Helena, insist upon interfering, and Chalmers, the long suffering valet, made me smile. I hope that you enjoy Upon a Wicked Time as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Rating: 
Summary: Hero's character was too flawed!
Review: I thought kept hoping that Jered would reform but it didn't happen until the very end of the story--but it was too little too late. By the time Jered was penitent and realized his mistakes, it was too late for me to like him. Tessa was excessive in her forgiving nature. I kept wishing she would exhibit some spunk, a spark of independence or teach him a much deserved lesson. She never really does and I was further annoyed/disappointed. I suppose her nature is much preferred to those overly proud characters found in other books-- but I would like to see a little more backbone. I found her character to be a bit annoying, overly child like. She prattled on, asking too many silly questions. I am not saying that this novel is entirely without merit, it had its momments, but on the whole it was mediocre. Still, I find Reding has a nice writing style. I will still give her other books a try.
Rating: 
Summary: Hard read
Review: I was very excited about this book. I have found Karen Ranney to be a very enjoyable read. However, the story of Tessa and Jered is one a bit different than her other books that I have read, (After the Kiss, GREAT book!)In the first chapter Tessa and Jered are married. His only need for a wife is to have children, otherwise he is not interested in her. She on the other hand loves him. He goes out of his way to make her hate him. He becomes so mean and unkind (leaving for his other home the night after there wedding without telling her, Kissing his misstress in front of her, to name a few) that I had to put the book down and come back later when I was not so made at him. In the end I was glad that I finished it, because I did enjoy it. It was a good book, but you have to be able to read and get past Jered's actions to fully enjoy and even finish the book!
Rating:
Summary: Upon a Wicked Time..not a treasure
Review: It seems to me that the heroine of this book is a spineless woman. She stalked her husband everywhere and well, did quite a number of stupid things. She is also hopelessly naive. Not a great read.
Rating:
Summary: Definitely Not a Hero to Love
Review: Jered Mandeville, Duke of Kitteridge, has just married young Tessa Atley. Jered first met Tessa when she was 16, while she was with her younger brother. Upon that first meeting, Jered lightly kisses Tessa. From that point on, Tessa is in love with Jered and, after two unsuccessful seasons, consents to marry him joyfully.
Once married, Jered flees to London after the wedding night. Tessa follows him, determined to make their marriage a good one. However, all Jered wants is a wife to give him an heir and leave him alone. This begin Jered doing everything he can to make his wife hate him.
Quite frankly, this tale is very difficult to read. The heroine has absolutely no respect for herself. She allows herself to be drawn into Jered's depraved world in order to get closer to him. I kept wanting the girl to leave because this type of abuse is simply not worth it. Jered, if he feels any remorse about what he does to his wife, does not really show it. However, he continues to bed her frequently. Even when the heroine is gravely injured, Jered does not demand his way to his wife, but sits on the sidelines. I did not think he was very well redeemed in the end, which also was a disappointment.
I hope that Ranney's other novels are better than this.
Rating:
Summary: Good writing but the characters?....
Review: Karen Ranney definitely has a flair for writing but I must disagree with everyone who thinks Jered Mandeville is the best thing since Swiss cheese. How depraved can one person be? Tessa certainly didn't deserve a jerk like him. She should've found someone who didn't go from voyeurism one night to depraved parties the next. I think Tessa's parents were a stronger couple than Tessa and her duke. Also, if I didn't see the date in the beginning of the book, I would really have never guessed that this took place during Georgian times. Where were the wigs and the high heels? After reading so many stellar reviews, I was a little disappointed.....
Rating:
Summary: Good writing but plot is too dark
Review: Karen Ranney is an exceptional writer, but I didn't like this book very much. Jered was very unlikable...too depraved, arrogant, and cynical. His only redeeming quality was his good looks. I much prefer humorous, honorable heroes. Karen Ranney's book Beloved is much more romantic. In my opinion, the best book ever is Shanna by Kathleen Woodiwiss. Ruark is the perfect hero. I wish all books could be like that.
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