An American in Scotland audiobook

4.5⭐ This is the second civil war era HR I have read and the first book by this author. I really enjoyed it, despite (maybe partly because of) all of the pain in the story as well as the unthinkable cruel behaviors of the villain. It is so difficult to imagine and yet historically accurate. This is a book that made me consider again some of the horrors in history and wonder about what may still happen in the world today.I really liked the hero. He is a man of character, the antithesis to his distant American cousin. He was not a selfish spoiled adolescent; and as a man in his 30's, he exhibits love and humilty. He is the perfect match for the strong-willed leading lady. They both have kind hearts and genuinely care about people, but they both can be stubborn.This is definitely worth a read. I will continue to be open to romances of this period and will definitely read another book by the author.

Good book, though a little slow at the start. Rose arrives in Glasgow at the end of her rope and the end of her resources. The Civil War has hit her family hard back in South Carolina, and she has come to see if the Scottish branch of the family will brave the blockade and purchase the last of their cotton. She's taken some liberties with the truth in order to ensure that she'll be listened to.Duncan is a mill owner who is struggling to keep his business going. The war in America has made it difficult to get the cotton necessary to do so. The arrival of his cousin's beautiful young widow gets his attention, especially when she faints at his feet. Her proposition is interesting, but could it be even more dangerous than it appears?There were sparks between Rose and Duncan from the very beginning. It was fun to see the effect that they had on each other. Duncan was constantly finding himself distracted by her beauty. He was so intrigued by her that he would come home for lunch every day and leave work earlier than usual, just to be able to spend time with her. Rose is just as intrigued by Duncan, and begins to regret her deception. Duncan had previously decided not to accept Bruce's offer to sell him the cotton. He didn't care for the impression he got of Bruce's character and lifestyle from the letters he received and was reluctant to support it. His conversations with Rose only reinforced that decision. Rose is desperate to get Duncan to buy their cotton. She needs that money to support the few people that are left living at the plantation. I loved his surprise at finding himself giving in to her pleas.Rose has a mind and will of her own. When she sets out on a course of action there isn't much that can get her to change. As hard as Duncan tried to get her to stay in Scotland while he retrieved the cotton, he could not get her to agree. Nor would she agree to remain in Nassau. It was fun to see Duncan start to respect and expect Rose's willingness to express her opinions and stick to her decisions. Forced into close quarters on the voyage, it isn't long before their attraction gets the better of them. I enjoyed seeing him realize his feelings first, and express them in an incredibly romantic way for such a previously controlled man. It took Rose a little longer because of her fears, but she too is eloquent in her expressions of love.Things take an unexpected turn when they arrive in South Carolina and discover that Bruce is back home from the war. He has lost a leg and his cruel nature has become even worse. I ached for Rose as she learned the heartbreaking truth about her sister's attitude toward her. Things got a bit intense when Bruce tried to exact his revenge upon Rose. Help came from an unexpected source, and Bruce ends up as the focus of someone else's revenge. That was very satisfying. Duncan and Rose also receive some unexpected good news that contributes to the success of their trip. I enjoyed the epilogue and seeing where everyone is a few months later. I loved the teasing that was going on among all the family members. Their love and support is obvious, but there is also a great sense of fun now that they have all found their loves.

This romance takes place on more than one continent. The civil unrest in America begins this journey for Rose. She has to under go some minor deceptions to help the one person in the world she loves. She just never imagined that it would lead to her true hearts desire, Duncan MacIain.Duncan was a man that valued family and work. He had a large responsibility to carry with family and his business. He just did not expect for it to encompass the widow of his cousin in just this way. Once he learns of all the issue going on in America, he feels the need to make sure that things do not go wrong. He embarks on a business saving, family saving quest through Scotland and then on to America. Along the way he finds what has been missing from his life but not expected with this woman, Rose. **This ARC was provided via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.**More @ http://mileythebookjunkie.blogspot.co...

Reviewed @ Confessions From Romaholics Review copy kindly provided by the publisher in exchange for a honest reviewAn American in Scotland is the third book in the MacIain series and this time the focus is on the American branch of the family in a round about way featuring the sister in law of one of the American MacIains, Rose . Rose is on a desperate mission trying to worm her way in to the Scottish side of the family to make a trade to help her family despite her problems. She may be from the North but now she is stuck in the South and things are tough down there. The South Carolina Plantation is on the last legs , desperately needing money to survive, however her sister and her family are stubborn not willing to accept any help .Rose is desperate and even though she isn’t an Maclain she is going to use any means necessary and posing one is to help her desperate cause is the least she got to do . She will and she heads to the Scottish MacIains in the hopes of doing so and instead finds herself on a whole different journey that she least expects.Whilst this book is a standalone, it once set once again in the backdrop of civil war however we are slightly further down the track from the previous book and we return to the Scottish MacIains give to Duncan MacIain a happily ever after.Duncan is a gentleman and takes Rose at his world. He is a businessman at first and the opportunity is one that he can’t afford to miss. It means profit for his family and the only thing In his way is the war and the problems associated with it. However whilst the whole trade the basis of their relationship. Their instant attraction soon means their personal relationship takes centre stage as they battle through conflict and more trying to get this trade done.I enjoyed the previous book in the series and love the idea of this as we are thrown right into the action with this book. Rasmey doesn’t hold back in the latest book in the series. There are spies, intrigue and running as we travel not to one but three countries as Rose and Duncan arrange this trade and in the mean whilst fallen in love. They are well suited to each other it is obvious from the start so I loved that Ramsey thrown them into the situations that they were in as they need a challenge or two.The result is another wonderful book from Rasmey, typical of her prose and another excellent instalment in the series. If you love historical novels, you don’t want to miss this one.4 couplesFor more of my reviews, visit Confessions From Romaholics.And drop by the blog's Facebook page

#3 in "The Maciain" series, but can be read as a stand alone. This is Rose and Duncan' story, and a story that crosses an Ocean, from Scotland to the Americas during the Civil War. Filled with desperation, risk, deceit, danger, passion, slavery, mystery, a bit of suspense, sea adventure, and the premise of love. A bit slow in the beginning but picks up nicely. More Historical Fiction than Historical Romance. Ms. Raney has done lots of research into Civil War issues, and the consequences of war, which shows in the descriptions, the struggles, the turmoil, and the bitterness she has shown in some of her characterizations and the storyline. Can Rose and Duncan found HEA after so much turmoil? Fans of Historical Fiction, Civil war issues, with some romance, mystery and suspense blended into the mixture, will enjoy this story. An enjoyable read! *Received for an honest review from the publisher via Edelweiss*Rating: 4Heat rating: Mild Reviewed by: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More

This is another great book by Karen Ranney. This is the link to my review in Fresh Fiction:http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id...

4.5 Stars As reviewed at Roses Are Blue: http://wp.me/p3QRh4-l9Rose O’Sullivan has somehow managed to scrape together enough funds to allow her to travel to Scotland, in the hopes of convincing Duncan MacIain to purchase a warehouse full of cotton for his mill. The cotton was grown on her brother-in-law’s land in South Carolina, and has no value unless it’s sold. Rose, her sister, Claire, and the rest of the household are near to starving, while Bruce (Claire’s husband) has gone off to fight in the Civil War. Bruce is Duncan’s cousin, which makes Rose even more hopeful that he will buy the cotton. Rose, in fact, has no legal authority to sell the cotton, but her desperation and desire to save her family have driven her to take this action. After the long sea journey, and a decided lack of food, Rose arrives in Scotland, weak and weary. As she begins to tell her story to the MacIain family, everyone assumes that Bruce is dead, and that she’s his widow. Realizing that she has a better chance of success with this story, Rose doesn’t correct their assumption, but lets it go on.Duncan has been worried about his mill. Because of the American Civil War, he doesn’t have the cotton he needs to be fully productive. In fact, he contacted his American cousin, Bruce, about buying cotton from him, but never got a positive response. This opportunity sounds like the answer to his prayers, though there will be danger in travelling to America and avoiding the blockade, and then returning with the cotton. He decides to take the chance, and makes arrangements for the journey. Truth be told, the beautiful Rose has intrigued him as no other woman ever has.As Duncan and Rose journey back to America, their close proximity on the ship allows them to get to know each other very well, and become even more attracted to each other than they already are. Duncan tries to remain honorable, thinking Rose is his cousin’s widow, but he is soon envisioning a future with Rose in it. Rose is equally enamored, for the first time in her life, yet she’s under this cloud of deception, and has her family in America to care for.As more details of the story unfold, we get to see what an amazing person Rose truly is, and what she has endured. Her strength of character is nothing short of amazing, and her compassion and caring seem limitless. I was in awe of her, while at the same time, wanting to tell her to please use her head as well as her heart. The horrors and degradation she endured at the hands of the villain of this story are almost beyond belief. Yet, she continues to rebound and carry on. Duncan is a perfect match for her, with his honor and strength. He believes in her, and comes to her rescue when she needs him, despite how circumstances made things appear.Karen Ranney totally wowed me with this story, which, while being a fantastic romance, also delved into a shameful and painful part of American history. The portrayal of people who had no qualms about “owning” other people, and treating them as less than human was eye-opening and heartbreaking. Imagine thinking, “That’s just the way it is.” There is a lot of darkness in AN AMERICAN IN SCOTLAND, but there is also hope, love, and a very well deserved happy ever after for two very deserving lovers. This extremely well written book receives my high recommendation and will go on my favorites list for this year.

This was good. The historical background played a very important role here. It was so Hard to read about the tortures and the punishments. Not being an US citizen myself, I am not really versed on the civil war, it was a good love story but I found it to be painful sometimes. I think that's what makes this book so compelling, the hability to make you feel the pain and suffering, the tenderness, the little Joy when Maise steps up, and every little thing that Karyn describes.

This was actually really lovely. I wasn't expecting to enjoy the blending of genres (civil war, which I usually don't like, and highland, which I do) but the characters and their emotional journey made this a wonderful read.

quite good for the genre of cheesy romance :) Check it out!

The first one in the series was my favorite, but this was a solid third book.

Slow to start but better than I thought it would be.

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 23, 2016Rose MacIain is a beautiful woman with a secret. Desperate and at her wits' end, she crafts a fake identity for herself, one that Duncan MacIain will be unable to resist. But she doesn't realize that posing as the widow of the handsome Scotsman's cousin is more dangerous than she knew. And when a simmering attraction rises up between them, she begins to regret the whole charade.Duncan is determined to resist the tempting Rose, no matter how much he admires her arresting beauty and headstrong spirit. When he agrees to accompany her on her quest, their desire for each other only burns hotter. The journey tests his resolve as their close quarters fuel the fire that crackles between them.When the truth comes to light, these two stubborn people must put away their pride and along the way discover that their dreams of love are all they need.REVIEW: AN AMERCIAN IN SCOTLAND is the third installment in Karen Ranney’s MacIAIN historical, romance series. This is Rose and Duncan’s storyline. AN AMERICAN IN SCOTLAND can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous storylines is revealed where necessary. The timeline of 1863 places the storyline during the American Civil War; the Emancipation Proclamation; and the American South was gradually losing control of the people, the slaves and the war.Told from several third person perspectives and crossing three continents AN AMERICAN IN SCOTLAND follows Rose as she endeavors to keep her sister’s family, and the cotton plantation in Charleston from going under. In her attempts to earn some quick cash, Rose heads to Scotland to visit her brother-in –law’s relations to secure a promise to purchase the cotton bales currently in storage. While the US civil war between the North and the South has claimed many lives, Rose’s current situation on her sister’s Charleston plantation is bordering on starvation and ruin. What ensues is a case of mistaken identity when Rose all but convinces the MacIain family in Scotland to help the family back in America. Enter Duncan MacIain, a Scottish businessman who agrees to return to Charleston with Rose in order to help out his extended family. What Duncan does not know is that Rose is not quite whom she claims to be; and Duncan’s cousin is a truly evil human being.The relationship between Rose and Duncan begins under the guise of a little white lie. Duncan’s family believes Rose is their cousin’s widow, and takes our heroine into their home. Duncan and Rose’s attraction to one another escalates on their ocean voyage to America, wherein Duncan will proclaim that Rose is the woman who holds his heart and his future. The $ex scenes are intimate, but mostly implied.The world building focuses on the war between the Yankees and the Confederates; slavery in America; and the cotton plantations of the South; as well as the connection between the Bahamas (the British West Indies), and the American slave plantations. Our leading couple travel across the ocean from Scotland, to the Bahamas, through the Blockades, and onto American soil wherein years of war, and a devastating fire have all but destroyed what is left of Charleston, South Carolina. There is some culture shock on both sides of the ocean.AN AMERICAN IN SCOTLAND is a fascinating and enjoyable storyline with a little bit of suspense and romance. The premise is moving and heartbreaking; the characters are energetic and inspiring; the romance is passionate. Karen Ranney weaves a little bit of American history into a story of romance and love that finds one woman trying to save a family that doesn’t want to be saved.Copy supplied by Edelweisswww.thereadingcafe.com

Posted on Les Romantiques - Le forum du siteReviewed by FabiolaReview Copy from the PublisherAn American in Scotland is the third volume in the MacIain series by Karen Ranney. The series consists of In your wildest Scottish dreams and Scotsman of my dreams. I haven’t read the first too volumes, but An American in Scotland can easily be read alone.For now, two of Karen Ranney’s novels have been translated into French, but I never read them. An American in Scotland is my first by the author. I really liked the flowing style, as well as the characters, and the “simple” love story, that is without permanent conflicts between our heroes. It’s especially likeable as it allows to compensate the dark side of the context used by the author.Indeed, the story takes place in 1863, a part in Scotland and another one in America during the Civil War. The author succeeds very well in describing the period’s atmosphere, and the diverse important issues taking place at this moment, and the most important of all: the end of slavery. Through the journey of Rose O’Sullivan, our heroine, we see well the different oppositions: the Yankees who absolutely want to change things, the Confederates who are settled on their “traditions” and in the middle the slaves who’ll have troubles gaining acceptance for this law promulgated by Lincoln. Not counting the economic and social consequences of this war. We can say Karen Ranney worked well on her context, while succeeding in preventing the History from encroaching upon the romance.Our couple meets in Scotland, when Rose comes to sell cotton to Ducan MacIain, our hero. The couple is attracted to each other immediately. But Rose lied on her identity and she doesn’t trust men, with good reasons. The novel will principally focus on the heroine’s feeling of guilt toward her lies, but also on the fight against this attraction: Rose because she lied, Duncan because he doesn’t want to take advantage of the young woman.The main characters were on the whole very likeable, determined, and respectful of the others. Rose is very upright and deeply loyal, which will put her in danger sometimes. Rose and Duncan seem in turn very stubborn and even if we want to shake them at these moments, we understand their positioning. The misunderstandings don’t last for long, and the author gives a good direction to her story. There’s only the end that is a bit far-fetched. We understand everything needed to be wrapped up, but the author could have perhaps brought things differently. Because everybody’s reactions are incomprehensible. Well, at least for me. Fortunately, the way the bad guy ends satisfies me fully, which really saved the end.The evolution of the feelings is quite fast, and our heroes accept quite easily what they feel for the other. The readers who love conflicts can feel frustrated on this aspect, you’re warned.We have some nice love scenes between Rose and Duncan, that come lately and are not very numerous. But they are well brought and that’s what is important.As for the secondary characters, we can see the heroes of the previous volumes: Lennox Cameron (Duncan’s best friend) and Glynnis MacIain (Duncan’s sister), heroes of the first volume; Dalton MacIain (Duncan’s cousin) and Minerva Todd, heroes of the second volume. We also have the other members making Duncan’s circle, all of them very likeable all equally. We also have Rose’s family and relatives I’ll let you discover.And a great surprise (or not LOL) for those who read the previous volumes, especially the first one.To conclude, I loved this novel and I recommend it. I’ll probably read the previous volumes, and I’m waiting to see if the author plans a sequel.

This is the third book in the MacIain series, which focuses on descendants of Highlanders in the latter half of the 19th Century. Once the MacIains fled Scotland after the Rising, the three brothers scattered to England, America and Glasgow. While Scotsman of My Dreams featured the English branch of the family, An American in Scotland focuses on the Glasgow and American branches. While there is some character crossover in each book, you won't be lost if you haven't read the earlier books. Duncan MacIain is a mill owner in Glasgow, but the American Civil War has nearly bankrupted him due to the shortage of cotton coming out of the South. The need for cotton to support his people leaves Duncan conflicted as he abhors slavery, and does not look favorable on the self-absorbed grandiose Bruce MacIain, who owns a plantation in Charleston. Trying to keep the mill afloat has taken all of Duncan's attention, so he has not given any thought to marriage or a family. Duncan was a beta male, an honorable and soft-spoken caretaker of his family and tenements. There were no whispers of rakish or rogueish behavior... he even quietly slipped to Edinburgh on occasion when he needed to take care of his manly needs. I liked Duncan and was cheering for him, but I didn't have a grand passion where he was concerned.The MacIains are surprised when a fiery-haired American woman shows up at their door in widows weeds offering to sell the very cotton that Bruce MacIain had refused to sell his Scottish cousin. After Bruce went off to fight for the Confederacy, leaving his family to fend for itself, Rose took over the running of the plantation. As an abolitionist, she has always clashed with Bruce and the southern way of life. But she shows up in Scotland desperate to sell the last cotton harvest and keep the rest of the family (her sister and niece and remaining slaves) from starving. Only to sell the cotton, Rose thinks she has to pose as Bruce's widow and she keeps up the charade for a good portion of the book. The whole deception made me disinclined to like Rose. She had many opportunities to come clean and every time she let it pass I thought less of her. However, once all was revealed and I learned Rose's tortured story, it eased my antipathy for her. The story picked up after that.Obviously writing a historical set during the time of slavery is difficult - there are many social and moral issues to navigate, but you also want to stay true to the time period. I think Karen Ranney did a good job with those parts of the story. She didn't gloss over the atrocities of the time, but I think Rose's ideals and abolitionist activities provided a nice counterbalance. The story did drag for me in the first half, but the pace picked up once Rose's deception was revealed and I enjoyed the rest of the story.I received an advanced copy of this book from Avon via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. 3.5 stars / 3 flames.

Originally posted on Polished Bookworm In An American in Scotland, celebrated author Karen Ranney crafts a quiet romance set against the horrors of the American Civil War and Scotland’s intertwined history.Scots mill owner Duncan MacIain and Rose O’Sullivan (known as Rose MacIain to Duncan and his Scottish relations) enter into an agreement for Duncan to purchase the last of Rose’s South Carolina grown cotton. Duncan had previously expressed an interest in purchasing the harvest, so Rose uses the last of her funds to journey to Scotland, braving the Union forces blockading the American coast, in order to finalize the sale. A mistake over Rose’s identity triggers her guilt, but she’s willing to do whatever it takes to help her family back in South Carolina as they try to survive the ravages of the Civil War. She didn’t count on the kindness of the Scottish MacIains – nor did she ever imagine she’d find love.Duncan MacIain has been struggling to keep his family’s mill operating since the Civil War began restricting his ability to import cotton. Duncan is a pragmatic man who entertains the idea to run the blockade and find a way to get the resources he needs, just as many of his countrymen did. Rose’s offer — and it’s inherent risk — give him the chance he’s been waiting for. Duncan plans for every contingency, except his visceral attraction to the woman he believes to be his distant cousin’s widow. Duncan’s resolve to behave honorably is tested when he and Rose travel from Scotland to America. Along the way, they share secrets and passion until they arrive back at the plantation Rose is trying to save. Luckily their devotion and partnership is already cemented by the time they come face to face with the ugly realities of Rose’s former life in South Carolina.While the love story of Duncan and Rose is skillfully constructed, I don’t think it would not have been as emotionally compelling if not for the unique settings, of both time and place, explored in this novel. Duncan and Rose travel from the comforts of Glasgow to the emerging (and romantic) Bahamas then on to cotton warehouses of Charleston and finally the harrowing Glengarden Plantation, all affected by wartime havoc. The journey aboard the blockade runner — a ship specially designed for stealth and speed in order to evade Union patrols — was exceptionally interesting.Author Karen Ranney provides a unique and realistic depiction of ravages of war and slavery, including the lives of a collection of diverse and intriguing secondary characters: from the abusive and deranged plantation owner, Bruce MacIain, his ruthless mother and his frigid wife to the slave Maisie, a pillar of strength and dignity. The barbarity of life on the plantation, both before and during the war, are explored in depth and handled masterfully by the author.This novel is an excellent example of what I love about historical fiction: the opportunity to learn through total immersion in the life of the past. By giving us characters to care about in a time of tragedy and strife, especially ones with a love like Duncan and Rose’s, An American in Scotland opens the mind and the heart.

It's official--Duncan MacIain is my new Scottish book boyfriend--such a fantastic hero! I didn't even realize that I needed one until I read his book, but there you have it :)I really enjoyed An American in Scotland, book three in the MacIain series--though it probably should have read An American in Scotland...and in the Bahamas... then back in the Confederate States of America, and then Scotland again, to be technical about it. Whereas we saw the hero of book two (Dalton of Scotsman of My Dreams ) after he gets back from fighting in the American Civil War, Duncan and Rose run the blockade along the southern Atlantic coast in order to sneak back into the South while the fighting is still going on. No actual fighting happens in their vacinity, but there's a good amount of tension while they're in international waters, since the Union knows of and would like to take control of their ship (built by the hero of book one, Lennox in In Your Wildest Scottish Dreams , so you know it's got to be a good one). Running the blockade was only a part of the action, though--the main tension came when Rose and Duncan arrived back at her brother-in-law's plantation, where Rose, a fervent abolitionist, had lived for the past two years. Talk about a miserable human being--just thinking about Bruce even now makes me get all squinty-eyed. Clearly, something went very wrong somewhere with the American branch of the MacIains. I liked this story for its unique storyline (blockade running! Abolitionists! Evil brother-in-law married to a heartless sister!) and locations, but it's the characters that really sealed the deal for me. I loved both Rose and Duncan, separately and as a couple. It did seem like there was more focus on the get the cotton to save the mill/confront Rose's past aspect of the story than the romance, but I was okay with that. Their romance was still very sweet, with just a small bit of steam to keep things interesting. Obviously the two of them were meant to be together, and it was honestly nice not to have the huge "relationship black moment" to deal with (there's a smallish one earlier on, when Duncan finds out what's she's been hiding all this time, but it's resolved quickly). I enjoyed having the drama focus elsewhere, letting them work together to try to fix things for both of their families.Though it's the third in the series, I think this one would work fine as a standalone. I've only read book two so far, (but downloaded number one as I wrote this review, because I must read the whole series, obvs) but wasn't at all lost as I read this one. I'm sure someone could start with this one with no problem, if they needed to.Rating: 4 stars / A-I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.