This is the first story in the Clan Sinclair series, and it is very well written, as most stories from this author are. If you’d give me two words to describe this story, they would be dysfunctional and compelling.

Here is what I mean. The main characters are very complex, never dull, always moving forward with set purpose. Both characters have a ton of baggage from the outset of the novel. Both employ destructive behavior, hurting each other in the process, yet when you look a bit closer into their psyche, and realize the reasons for that, you can’t help but sympathize regardless of how much you disapprove of their behavior.

Ultimately, that’s what made this story come to life for me. Call me crazy, but I liked their ‘dysfunctional’ relationship, which by the way gave me angst throughout the book. Without it, this would have been just another romance with a ‘misunderstanding’ as its main plot.

In the end, Ms. Ranney did a good job of pulling me into and making me care for these two and their story, while at the same time I appreciated their imperfections.

Melanie for b2b ( )

I had mixed feelings about this book. Overall, I liked it. The first half was rather slow and a bit hard to stay interested in. The beginning would also have a chapter or two of the present time, then a chapter of flashback for the backstory, another chapter or two in the present, then flashback, etc. This went on for quite a while. I prefer my backstory mostly all at once - the constant back and forth was sometimes hard to follow. Things definitely picked up in the second half and I enjoyed it much more at that point.

Virginia was an American heiress, brought to London by her father to marry a man with a title. He didn't care what she wanted, she would basically go to the highest bidder. In the meantime, Virginia had met a Scottish man, a self-made millionaire, who understood her. They would meet at balls or other places where she could escape, and talk about politics, science, literature or anything that caught their fancy. They fell in love, but her father wouldn't even consider Macrath as a suitor. She was forced to marry the earl and forbidden to see or speak to Macrath.

Less than a year later, her husband was dead, and she discovered that all the money she had brought to the marriage had been used to purchase land that was then left to the cousin who inherited the title. Virginia and her mother- and sisters-in-law, were left with nothing unless Virginia had produced a son. Her mother-in-law, whom I DID NOT like at all, convinced her that she needed to quickly find a man who could get her pregnant with a child she could pass off as her husband's. Virginia did not like that idea at all, but could see no other option to keep them from becoming destitute. So she ran off to Scotland to try to seduce Macrath.

Macrath was stunned to see Virginia show up at Drumvagen. He had been unable to forget her after her marriage and had buried himself in his work. He was happy to have her there and hoped to make her want to stay. He was very willing to show her "how it's supposed to be between a man and a woman". After just a few days he's devastated to find out she has no intention of staying in Scotland, but returning to London. They part ways, and he heads off to Australia on business and she returns to London to take care of her family.

Unsurprisingly, she does end up pregnant and has a son, who the world assumes is her husband's. The baby is just a few months old when smallpox sweeps through London and Virginia becomes quite ill. Macrath returns to London about that time, and discovering the truth about the child, takes the baby back to Scotland while Virginia is ill, without telling her. She chases after him before she is fully recovered. When she arrives, he is still furious at her deception and refuses to allow her in the house or to see the baby. Over the next couple weeks she is stuck in a cottage on the estate and still unable to see the baby. By this point, Virginia has finally started to find a backbone and refuses to be kept away. I really enjoyed her determination and seeing what she does.

Over the next few weeks, Macrath begins to soften toward Virginia a little as he sees what a good mother she really is. Virginia also sees Macrath's happiness in being a father. But she still refuses to consider staying in Scotland, determined to keep up the deception and protect her family. It is getting harder for each of them, as their feelings for each other have only gotten stronger. The conflict could have been greatly reduced if she had just told him what the problem was.

Things were also complicated by her late husband's personal assistant, who was obsessed with Virginia. He was determined to have her for himself, and willing to do anything to get her. Over the course of the book he went from creepy to obsessed to dangerous. His appearance in Scotland added a layer of intensity that finally brought Macrath and Virginia together.

Virginia irritated me through most of the book because of her unwillingness to tell Macrath what was going on. She did have redeeming qualities. I liked her determination to take care of her son herself, no turn him over to nannies and we nurses. She was also kind to her in-laws, even though the mother-in-law was a piece of work. I didn't like that woman at all. Virginia was also pretty down-to-earth. She really didn't care about the benefits of the title. But until she became a mother, I found her to be rather a doormat.

Macrath I liked a lot. He made something of himself through his own hard work. He was true to himself, not trying to change to fit in with the aristocracy. I liked the way he treated Virginia like an intelligent human being when they had their discussions in the first part of the book. I completely understood his anger when he found out about the baby. I even understood his actions when Virginia came to Scotland, even though I felt he could have handled things a little better. I liked seeing him soften toward her, and realize that he still wanted her in his life. I thought his pursuit of her was pretty sweet. ( )

3.5 stars.

This book is the first in a planned series called “Clan Sinclair,” but you won’t find kilts or bagpipes or wee bonnie lasses in this mid-Victorian setting. Macrath Sinclair is a Scotsman who has worked his way up from newsboy to prosperous owner of a printing business in Edinburgh. Macrath also is an inventor, and he’s trying to perfect an ice machine; this aspect of the story is based upon the work of James Harrison, a Scottish-born Australian who wanted to develop refrigeration for transporting beef from Australia to England.

When he accompanies his sister to London for the Season, he meets and falls in love with American heiress Virginia Anderson. Virginia has been brought to London by her high-handed father, who wants a British title in the family and who finds Macrath unsuitable for his daughter. Before she knows what is happening, Virginia is betrothed and quickly married to Lawrence Traylor, Earl of Barrett, and Macrath is back at his Scottish estate, Drumvagen.

Within six months of her marriage, Lawrence, who always had been sickly, dies, leaving Virginia to live with his mother, Enid, and his sisters, Eudora and Ellice. The title, and all of Virginia’s fortune, will go to Lawrence’s ungenerous cousin – unless Virginia produces an heir. Enid urges her to find some gentleman who will help her do so. And quickly. The only man upon whom Virginia can call is Macrath, so immediately after the funeral she and her maid hie off to Scotland.

Macrath is shocked when Virginia shows up on his doorstep, but he shows surprisingly little curiosity about her sudden visit. She is heartbroken to learn that Macrath had written her and tried to see her but been turned away by her (now deceased) father. Virginia confesses how she was forced into marrying by her father and what a miserable marriage she had. Virginia’s mother-in-law had told her that seduction would not be difficult. “All you need do is suggest your willingness and the male will do the rest.” And that’s pretty much what happens.

Macrath and Virginia are as much in love as ever. He asks her to stay with him, but she cannot even though she wants to. She feels a deep responsibility to her surviving family members, who will be penniless if her scheme fails. When she returns to London after only a couple of days, Macrath sets off for Australia, where he’s entered a competition to test refrigeration techniques for transporting beef. During the many months that he’s gone, Virginia gives birth to a son and the title appears to be secured.

During his successful voyage back to London, Macrath decides to set aside his wounded pride, so he sets out immediately to see Virginia and ask her to marry him. After barging his way into Virginia’s house, Macrath discovers from the servants that she is ill with smallpox, but that “the child” is healthy. The child? Suddenly Macrath knows everything, and he is furious. He immediately packs up the baby, the wet nurse, and the nursemaid and takes them all to Scotland.

Although not yet fully recovered, Virginia follows Macrath to Drumvagen, but he won’t even let her in the house. What follows is a war of wits and will between Virginia and Macrath over this tiny beloved baby. It is an complex, angst-ridden story, given that these two people both love and hate one another, and their route to an HEA is neither smooth nor predictable.

I adore Karen Ranney’s writing, but I have two problems with this book. In the first third of the book, the time repeatedly shifts between the past and present. I found this distracting and at times confusing. Second, the solution to most of Macrath’s and Virginia’s problems seems obvious if the pair would only communicate honestly with one another. Of course, then this novel would be only a short story, so I suggest that the reader just roll with it and enjoy the interplay between this luscious hero and his devoted heroine.
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I’ve always wanted to read Karen Ranney’s books, but I’ve never had the chance. When the opportunity came to participate in the blog tour, I couldn’t say no! Ranney’s The Devil of Clan Sinclair was a delightful read!

I’m a big fan of reunited lovers and Ranney’s The Devil of Clan Sinclair doesn’t disappoint! Writing was engaging and I loved the banter between Macrath and Virginia. I most particularly enjoyed how Ranney introduced us to the couple and especially how their romance developed and how they were torn apart. Character development was strong, but I couldn’t feel much empathy for Virginia especially after she agrees to Enid, her mother-in-law’s plan. I know people do crazy things in desperate times, but I just wanted her to show some backbone. Even Enid isn’t the strong woman she portrays to be especially when Paul, the Earl of Barrett’s former valet comes into play. Paul was a creep of the first order and high-five to Ranney for developing a villain that made me want to hide when he made an appearance. Without a doubt, Macrath steals the show in The Devil of Clan Sinclair! He’s a self made man who is happy living his life until an American girl steals his heart. Even after she broke it he still loved her and believed in her until she betrayed his trust.

What I really enjoyed about The Devil of Clan Sinclair is that for once we have a hero who isn’t hell bent on revenge when the heroine is right in front of him. Macrath could have turned his heart against Virginia, but he couldn’t and I loved that! I loved how quickly the two of them became reacquainted and my heart broke when they were apart. I understand his actions towards the end, which I won’t go into detail for spoilers and I don’t blame him for taking the stance that he does. I just wish Virginia had been more accepting of his reasons and realized she was to blame.

I debated with the rating between a three and four and in the end, I decided on a three because of three things that didn’t sit well me with me. The first is regards to Paul and how quickly he was dealt with in the end. I wanted more conflict especially since he plays a vital role in making Virginia’s life and the rest of the household’s a nightmare. Secondly, we’re left with a few unanswered questions especially how Virginia didn’t know it was Paul and what happens to the Earl’s title when the truth comes out? And does it come it out? Finally, Virginia was friends with Macrath’s sister and I’m surprised how much Macrath was kept in the dark especially with regards to Virginia’s son. People gossip and if an Earl apparent isn’t going to inherit because of a possible child then why wasn’t something relayed to Macrath? I understand he was in Australia, but if he was receiving letters, I’m sure his sister would have said something. Then again, fully knowing their history perhaps she did keep quiet.

Overall, The Devil Clan of Sinclair was an enjoyable read. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series and hopefully some questions will be addressed.

If you’re looking to try a new historical romance author or are in a reading slump, I recommend Karen Ranney’s The Devil of Clan Sinclair. ( )

Ranney has woven an emotional tapestry that wraps tightly around you with each gripping page. I surrendered immediately to this captivating book!

Virginia has to bat down the urge towards docility and fight for what’s hers. With several people depending on her, she can’t let her emotions take over her life. Macrath Sinclair was in love with her once, but after the pain she has caused him, she can’t see him ever forgiving her. Asking for his trust is beyond absurd and she doesn’t have the fortitude to tell him the complete truth. With a sinister man holding a secret over her head and another one holding her heart, she must find a way to save those closest to her without losing herself.
Macrath Sinclair knows what he wants and he intends to get it. A man with his intellect should not be pining over a woman this way. His pride becomes liquid when she’s around and he speaks from the heart without control. If only he could make her see the courage she possesses, she would never have to give in again to anyone but him.

This novel was written expertly and is a prize to behold. The setting was dictated beautifully, and the story line was brilliant. Movement between viewpoints is handled so skillfully, it doesn’t confuse the reader and allows the story to flow smoothly. The character background is informative and interesting. The love between Macrath and Virginia is full of passion and the banter was amusing. My heart fluttered with excitement as each steamy romantic scene played out. The skill in which the author portrays this world of mystery, love, hate, and devotion is one that I truly admire. I simply love it when a writer takes the time after the story to explain fact vs. fiction. I can’t wait to read her next novel!

I received this in exchange for an unscripted and honest review. (Above the Treeline a/k/a Edelweiss) ( )