Running from their pasts
Margaret Dalrousie was once willing to sacrifice all for her calling. The talented artist would let no man interfere with her gift. But now, living in a small Scottish cottage on the estate of Glengarrow, she has not painted a portrait in ages. For not even the calming haven in the remote woods can erase the memories that darken Margaret’s days and nights. And now, with the return of the Earl of Linnet to his ancestral home, her hopes of peace have disappeared.
From the first moment he encountered Margaret on his land, the Earl of Linnet was nothing but annoyed. The grieving nobleman has his own secrets that have lured him to the solitude of the Highlands, and his own reasons for wanting to be alone. Yet he is intrigued by his hauntingly beautiful neighbor. Could she be the spark that will draw him out of bittersweet sorrow—the woman who could transform him from a Scotsman in sadness to a Scotsman in love?
When I first came up with the idea of A Scotsman in Love, I kept getting flashbacks to my childhood. My mother was an artist, someone who had numerous shows throughout the country, and one in Paris. Despite this, she never had much self-confidence about her work. In addition to painting – she used oils, predominantly – she also took up photography and went on to win awards for her black and white photographs.
As a child, I can remember her standing in the den, or the living room, or whatever room had the best light at the time. As Air Force dependents, we were forever moving, so the locale always changed. She would stand and stare at the canvas, as if willing the images to appear. She did the most beautiful character studies of people. She enjoyed painting the elderly because, as she said, “their lives show on their faces.”
When Margaret Dalrousie was born in my mind, I couldn’t help but remember all those occasions watching my mother. She was so immersed in her work, so totally taken by it. I have often thought that I’m a writer because she was an artist. I, too, have that sense of time standing still. It’s nothing for me to be immersed in writing and look up to find that morning has faded into night.
Another thing we have in common, that I never realized until I became a writer, is the fact that her self-doubt mirrors mine. I think, perhaps, that doubt is a job requirement for artists and writers.
Strangely enough, Margaret Dalrousie does not doubt her own talent.
In fact, she’s probably arrogant about it. It’s something she’s always had, like the color of her eyes, and when she loses it, she’s devastated.
A Scotsman in Love is the story of two people who don’t particularly care about love, or perhaps they simply don’t believe in it. Each of them comes to rely on the other, and the passion, then the love they feel makes each a better person.
If you get a chance to read A Scotsman in Love, I hope you’ll tell me what you think.
Excerpt can be found here.
Drawing can be found here.
Warm fuzzies!
Karen Ranney
Web site: www.karenranney.com
Warm Fuzzies! Blog: http://karenranney.wordpress.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/KarenRanney
*****Leave a comment for the chance to win a copy of A SCOTSMAN IN LOVE and a travel mug from Karen! Good Luck! 🙂
I do enjoy a story with a hero or heroine who is an artist of some type. I am always amazed when I get a chance to go to a museum and view the amazing works of art there and wonder about the people who created them.
Your book sounds so good, can’t wait to read it.
Penney
Karen, this sounds fascinating! And how neat that you’ve become an artist in your own way like your mother–what a gift!
Welcome, Ms Ranney!
I like the idea of a character shaken by the loss of something that, in their own eyes, defines them. Best of luck!
Hi Karen. Your book sounds wonderful. 🙂
It sounds so good 🙂 I to have a passion for Scotland and love to read about it…oh and sexy scots of course 😉
Congrats on the new release, Karen! I think the book sounds really good. I am looking forward to reading more about Margaret and Robert.
Hi Karen, I can’t wait to read this one!!! I’ve loved your work for awhile. I have a love for all things Scotland.
hugs,
WendyK
Oh wow, I love the cover of this book! I love reading about Scotland so this should be an amazing read. I can’t wait to read this one. Please enter me.
Karen, I read the excerpt, and it really sucked me in! I loved the first line where you said Margaret was “daring the ghosts to accost her.” Just the first line sets the scene and engages the reader. I can’t wait to read more!
Art love it in its many forms! I enjoyed the excerpt for this book. Thanks for the lovely intro to A SCOTSMAN IN LOVE! 😀
You know your going to get a great story with Karen Ranney. Not too many scottish romances now adays and I’m looking forward to reading this one. 🙂
The excerpt was good, looking forward to reading more!
Congrats on the new release, karen!!
Love your historicals, although I haven’t seen this one out yet.
I just visited scotland and I understand what is so appealing about the men there!
This book looks great!
Congrats on the new release, Karen. I’m looking forward to reading “A Scotsman in Love.”
Karen ,
I love reading books about scotland and your book is
one i been looking forward to reading
Looking forward to reading this. I’ve always enjoyed your stories.
Hi, Karen,
The book sounds like something I would love since I enjoy Scottish romances. 🙂
Your book sounds great!
This sounds like a wonderful story. My mom is an artist, too. She loves Scottish stories also so we will have to pass this book between us!
Sounds great!
Stories where one or both of the main characters have a talent of some kind, artistic, scientific, even pyschic appeal to me a lot. I always get your books Karen,, so that would have had me looking otherwise. Cool on your mother, you sure had personal experience to draw on for this one.
(Don’t enter me in contest, was definitely on my wishlist but I just found I got lucky somewhere in blogland, lucky me).
Wonderful cover and the story sounds so good I just added it to my TBB list.
Hi Karen,
That was very touching introduction to this book. I think that some of the most special characteristics and scenes of a novel emerges from the little personal touches that comes from past memories and experiences. This book sounds wonderful, and I’m really looking forward to it.
Best,
Eshani
Hi Karen,
A Scotsman in Love sounds like a great read!
This sounds like such a fantastic book – I have added it to my TBR – I love the type of books where the hero or heroine has to heal from the past. I look forward to reading it.
I feel bad, I haven’t read your books yet and heard so many wonderful things about her books! Now I see what i’m missing!!! I dearly love historicals and so those that set in Scotland! I saw that you had titles with Scotland in them. Are they books related to them?
Too I can see you dedicating this book to your mom. Beautiful how this story came to you Karen!
Your book sounds really nice! I visited your website and noticed you have other lovely books that I’ll definitely have to remember next time I’m ordering something…
ooh, I want to be the lady in the white dress and escape away with the Scotsman. I just love these type of stories!
Please include me in your giveaway.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9(at)verizon.net