Smitten by Books

Seven years have passed since Glynis MacIain made the foolish mistake of declaring her love to Lennox Cameron, only to have him stare at her dumbfounded. Heartbroken, she accepted the proposal of a diplomat and moved to America, where she played the role of a dutiful wife among Washington’s elite. Now a widow, Glynis is back in Scotland. Though Lennox can still unravel her with just one glance, Glynis is no longer the naïve girl Lennox knew and vows to resist him.

With the American Civil War raging, shipbuilder Lennox Cameron must complete a sleek new blockade runner for the Confederate Navy. He cannot afford any distractions, especially the one woman he’s always loved. Glynis’s cool demeanor tempts him to prove to her what a terrible mistake she made seven years ago.

As the war casts its long shadow across the ocean, will a secret from Glynis’s past destroy any chance for a future between the two star-crossed lovers?

This is the first book in the Maciain series.

Glynis Smythe has adored Lennox Cameron, her older brother’s best friend and their neighbor for her whole life. At the age of five, she claimed him as hers. At nineteen, she decided it was time to make her move. She summoned him to meet her in a private room, where she threw her arms around him and kissed him. Lennox is at first stunned, then as he begins to respond, they are interrupted by a lady who would prefer to keep Lennox for herself. Still bemused, Lennox allows himself to be led away, not realizing that Glynis would take that as rejection. When Glynis hears rumors that there is an imminent engagement between Lennox and this same lady, she takes off for London. There she meets an aspiring diplomat, who feels she could be molded into the perfect hostess for him. He proposes a businesslike marriage, and Glynis, never wanting to have to face Lennox and his soon-to-be wife, accepts. They are wed immediately and leave for America.

Now, seven years later, widowed, and without any means of support, Glynis returns home to Scotland. The rumors of Lennox’s impending marriage were just that – rumors. He is still single. When Lennox sees Glynis for the first time in seven years, he notices several things. First of all, she’s more beautiful than ever, but her joy and vivaciousness are gone. Her smile is brittle, she is overly polite, and her eyes are flat and lifeless. She also seems determined to spend little time with him. For her part, Glynis is dismayed to find that she still is overwhelmed by Lennox. All the time apart has not lessened her love.

A second chance at love is one of my favorite tropes, but there is so much more to this story. It takes place during the American Civil War, and that had far reaching effects, both for Lennox’s shipbuilding business and for the diplomatic circles Glynis moved in. As quoted in this book, “War is hell,” and it caused people, including Glynis, to do things they wouldn’t normally do. As Glynis tries to move on, her past comes back to haunt her.

Karen Ranney has written an absolutely captivating story with so much happening. Lennox is one hot Scot – protective, honorable, strong, and off the charts sexy. There is murder, blackmail, treachery, secrets, gossip, arson, passion, and heartbreak – all leading to an exciting and engrossing read. The focus, though, is the wonderful love story, with a most satisfying happy ever after that was seven years in the making.

Reviewed by Rose
Heat Level: Sensual