Karen Ranney – författare

When Robert returns home after three years away, all he wants to do is mourn the tragedy that sent him away in the first place. But he has no choice but to reenter society as his mother has run his estate in Scotland to the ground in order to force him to return and face his responsibilities. Margaret has finally found a place she can quietly regain her equilibrium and possibly begin to paint again. Once the official painter and darling of the Russian court, a brutal attack sent her running. With the help of an anonymous benefactor, she has settled down into a happy life. That is until her gorgeous and tempestuous neighbor returns and shatters her fragile peace. Neither one is fit for company but a mutual and inexplicable desire tests both of their resolves. And, when Margaret is commisioned to paint a picture for Robert, they may no longer be able to deny their true feelings.

Virginia Traylor, Countess of Barrett, is in dire straights...Lawrence Traylor's death left his family in a desperate situation. He'd spent his wife's fortune on property that became entailed, passing to his cousin. If Virginia could have an heir before the allotted time was up, the title would remain in the family, but more important they'd have the income from the farms belonging to the estate. Only one problem: Lawrence had never wanted to bed his wife. Who would play surrogate husband? Enter Macrath Sinclair, the self-made Scottish millionaire and the man with whom Virginia had fallen in love before her father chose Lawrence as her husband. Virginia travels to Scotland, becomes pregnant, and gives birth to a boy - who is promptly stolen by Macrath when he realizes he's become a father. Virginia travels to Scotland in a desperate attempt to get Macrath to see reason. He must relinquish his son. The world sees the child as the 11th Earl of Barrett. Another problem: Macrath isn't going to give up his son, and he wasn't all that happy about letting Virginia go, either. Can they put aside their differences and make their new family work?

New York Times bestselling author Karen Ranney takes readers back to beautiful Scotland in the first novel in her breathtaking new series.Since she was a little girl, Jennifer Adaire, daughter of the Earl of Burfield, has loved Gordon McDonnell even though his station as the gardener’s son made him strictly forbidden to her. After Gordon was forced from Adaire Hall, taking Jennifer’s heart with him, he headed for London, intent on making a better life for himself. Though they’ve kept in touch through letters and Jennifer has waited patiently for him, it’s taken Gordon five years to return to Scotland. Now Jennifer doesn’t know if she can manage seeing again the man she loves—but can never have.In the time since his departure, Gordon has achieved the success he’s always sought. When he learns that his father is dying, he returns home and discovers much to his surprise that the feelings he’s always had for Jennifer burn ever stronger. But when a family secret surfaces, Jennifer and Gordon’s chance at a future together could be threatened…

This is a classic from Karen Ranney, back in print with a new, updated look.