A tortured hero highlights Ranney's newest Scottish Romance

SCOTSMAN OF MY DREAMS
Karen Ranney
Avon
ISBN# 978-0-06-233750-4
September 2015
Historical Romance

Dalton MacIain has returned from the American Civil War, embittered, closed off and wounded. The last thing he wants or needs is an overbearing woman barging her way into his life. Since she didn't ask or take no for an answer, he seems to be stuck with her. Getting rid of her might be more than he can do.

Minerva Todd is looking for her brother, Neville, who had gone off to war with Dalton but didn't return with him. She's quite sure that Dalton knows where he is. Then she discovers that Dalton believes Neville is responsible for his condition and he's now looking for him, too. An uneasy truce is formed between them even as the attraction between them flares up. Their search for answers may lead them into more danger than either of them realized.

The latest from Ranney is filled with a tortured hero, intrigue, a willful heroine and all sorts of secondary characters that really make this an enjoyable story. Dalton emerges from his shell as he tries to heal and thwart Minerva's determination to find her brother. Finding Neville is a way for these two to be together, but ultimately there is more to the story that keeps you glued to the pages.

Reviewed by Jennifer Jones
Rating 4 1/2

New western delivers a compelling romance!

HER LUCKY COWBOY
Montana Men Series - Book Three
Jennifer Ryan
Avon
ISBN# 978-0-06-233495-4
September 2015
Contemporary Romance

Once upon a time, Bell had fallen for Dane when he had fallen off his horse. An Illegitimate child, her grandmother made her feel unwanted, hid her away like a dirty secret, thus she never really was able to get to know him like a normal girl. Years later, she's a successful doctor and watching her favorite cowboy Dane ride at a big rodeo. To her horror, she watches as he gets trampled beneath the bull's deadly hooves, but she was able to save him once again.
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Dane remembers the young girl that helped him when he was thrown from his horse. He also knows that the beautiful doctor is that same girl. What he doesn't understand is why she was so closed off from everyone growing up and why she is so reluctant to get to know him now. Dane is a ladies man, Bell knows and is quite sure she can't compete with his beautiful women that throw themselves at him. However, Dane's last ride enabled him to retire and make a life for himself. What he wants in his life is Bell, but will she let him in her heart?

The fact that Bell is raised by her crazy religious zealot of a grandmother is what has shaped her entire outlook on herself. Treated horribly, she has deep issues with her self-worth growing up, but even more than that, she doesn't believe herself capable of competing for Dane's heart. Dane is seriously sexy, and he's persistent and strong enough to help her overcome her fears. There also is a suspenseful story line thrown in for good measure. The character driven storyline would have been enough, so this is an addition that I felt was unnecessary but was interesting at any rate. A compelling story with well-drawn out characters.

Reviewed by Jennifer Jones
Rating: 4